Scottish Football Tips: Gers can push Celts all the way

BOOKIES have wrongly priced many Old Firm games in recent seasons – mostly resulting in nice profit for backers of Celtic.

This time they may have underestimated a Rangers side that goes into battle tomorrow on the back of six wins.

Graeme Murty, his players and fans believe this is their best chance of beating their city rivals and I have to agree.

In recent seasons I've tipped Celtic to win and on the handicaps at good prices and I can see why people will be smashing into Rangers who are as big as 3-1 at Marathonbet.

Celtic, despite some indifferent form, are hot favourites at 11-10 with William Hill, while the draw pays 27-10 at Marathonbet.

As Gers are so big I'm happy to take a chance on them not to lose at 17-20 with Marathonbet or draw no bet at 19-10.

A draw would suit Brendan Rodgers and maintain a six-point lead with a home game in hand against Dundee. A score draw is possible at 15-4 with McBookie.

Both teams should hit the target and that pays 3-4 at bet365 while over 2.5 goals is evens at Marathonbet.

If Celtic lose we have a title race for the first time in years – at the moment we don't have one because the champions are no bigger than 1-100 while Gers are 25-1.

I've even heard some Ibrox supporters talking about the Double and they are a biggest 174-1.

Murty will have several players making their Old Firm debut while most of Rodgers's star will have been through it before.

That could be crucial as experience is key and once again Scott Brown is expected to be a major player. He'll be looking to dominate midfield and has a chance of winning the man-of-the-match award.

With plenty at stake it could be more fiery than usual. In days gone by I'd have seen Willie Collum was the ref and immediately tipped a red card.

But Collum hasn't courted as much controversy this season but has shown nine red cards – two in last two matches for St Johnstone's Jason Kerr and Ross County's Craig Curran.

He has been fairly card-happy in recent weeks too with 24 in six games including nine on his last visit to Ibrox when Rangers were beaten by Hibs.

A red card to be shown pays 15-8 at Sky Bet but bookings points is set a little high at 70.

Hopefully there are more goals than cards but picking a first scorer isn't easy although Moussa Dembele has a claim after netting hat-trick against Rangers last season. He is 41-10 at Marathonbet to net first.

Rangers will be looking to Alfredo Morelos to break the deadlock at 15-2 with betfair and is 13-5 to net at any time.

Elsewhere best bets are Kilmarnock at home to Ross County. Killie have climbed to fifth and have won five of six at home. They are 53-50 with Marathonbet and joint top Premiership scorer Kris Boyd is 4-1 with bet365 to score first.

Aberdeen have won six in a row at Partick Thistle and are 4-5 at McBookie.

In the Championship second-placed Livingston look best bets at 33-25 at Marathonbet.

Leaders St Mirren entertain a Dunfermline side who have drawn 0-0 three times and lost 2-1 three times in their last six. Saints should win this at evens with Betway and 2-1 victory pays 8-1 at McBookie.

In League One second welcomes first with Ayr facing Raith and there should be goals. Ayr's last six have gone over 2.5 as have Raith's previous five. Over 2.5 pays 8-11 at Betway.

Best bets in League Two could be Stirling at home to Peterhead. Albion have won five in a row while the Blue Toon's mini form slump has seen them fall xx points off the summit.

Albion are 5-6 at McBookie not to lose and that looks decent value.

Recommended Bets

• Rangers v Celtic draw (27-10, Marathonbet)
• Kilmarnock (53-50, Marathonbet)
• Boyd to score first (4-1, bet365)
• Aberdeen (4-5, McBookie)
• Livingston (33-25, Marathonbet)
• St Mirren (Evens, Betway)
• Stirling not to lose (5-6, McBookie)

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