Scottish Football Tips: Honours even in Old Firm clash

THERE will be no title party or guard of honour for Celtic at Ibrox tomorrow but I don't see Neil Lennon's men leaving empty-handed.

Rangers ended a five-match losing home run against their great rivals with a 1-0 win at New Year.

That result should have paved the way for a title challenge but Steven Gerrard's men faltered after the break and never got close to stopping eight in a row.

Celtic have been celebrating but Lennon will be fully focused on this game before probably resting players on the final day ahead of the Scottish Cup Final.

Old Firm games are never meaningless as bragging rights are priceless and I'm going for honours to be shared.

The draw pays 5-2 at Ladbrokes while a score draw is 18-5 at BetVictor. I'd consider 1-1 and remember three meetings this season have produced just five goals.

Celtic have kept six clean sheets since beating Gers 2-1 and that's the only goal Scott Bain has conceded in 10.

Gerrard's men have been in good form too and Allan McGregor's conceded just once since that Parkhead loss but is banned and will be replaced by Wes Foderingham.

With both defences on top consider under 2.5 goals at 10-11 with bet365.

Rangers would love to make it two wins against the Hoops and are 2-1 with bet365 to do so with Celtic 29-20 at William Hill.

Alfredo Morelos, yet to score against Celtic, is ban free but could be again on the bench after Jermain Defoe hit last week's winner against Hibs. Defoe is 19-4 at McBookie to score first.

Since Billy McNeill's death Hoops, No.5 Jozo Simunovic has netted in both games and is 14-1 at bet365 to make it a remarkable three in a row.

Kevin Clancy is the man in the middle and he's been card-happy this season, averaging 4.1 yellows a game as well as flashing eight reds.

He has handed out 14 yellows and a red in his last two games and showed 11 yellows in the Rangers v Aberdeen Scottish Cup replay.

A red tomorrow pays 5-2 at McBookie while over 62.5 booking points is just 6-5.

Today's bottom-six games mean little and after being relegated last week Dundee should suffer a 11th successive defeat at Livingston who are evens at Betfred.

Craig Halkett, who netted from 40 yards last week, will play his final home game before joining Hearts. Penalty taker Halkett is 3-1 at bet365 to sign off with a goal.

St Johnstone and Motherwell are battling for seventh place and I fancy a draw at 12-5 with McBookie at McDiarmid.

Last week I tipped David Turnbull to score first for Well at 17-2 and today he's good value at 4-1 at bet365 to net again.

Killie, 21-20 at Marathonbet, are battling Aberdeen for third and can take a step closer by beating Hibs at home. It won't be easy with Hibs losing their unbeaten league run under Paul Heckingbottom last week but with Europe now out of reach they could be taking it easier.

Elsewhere it's all about the play-offs with Inverness and Clyde looked to have booked progress after away wins in midweek.

Forfar v Raith and QoS v Montrose are in the balance and I'm taking both to score in both games.

In the pyramid play-off final I fancy Cove to beat a Berwick side who finished the season in terrible form.

Highland League champions beat East Kilbride 5-1 on aggregate to reach this stage and can take advantage of Berwick lacking confidence to take a lead to England.

Cove enjoyed a superb season at home were a machine winning 16 out of 17 and scoring 60 times.

Although they're the non-league team the northerners are favourites to qualify at 4-9 with Ladbrokes and I'm backing them at 8-13 with bet365 to win today. Cove -1 also tempts at 29-20 with McBookie.

Recommended Bets

• Rangers v Celtic under 2.5 goals (10-11, bet365) – Sun
• Livingston (Evens, Betfred)
• Halkett (Livi) to score (3-1, bet365)
• Turnbull (Motherwell) to score (4-1, bet365)
• Cove -1 (29-20, McBookie)

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