IT always takes a jilted lover a bit of time to warm to the old flame after they turn up back on the doorstep with a rose between their teeth, vowing to rekindle the romance.
A few Celtic fans wanted to slam the door shut on Brendan Rodgers the moment he pitched up at Parkhead again.
Others were left wondering if welcoming him back would end in tears when the Hoops crashed out of the League Cup to Kilmarnock then followed it up with a dreary stalemate at home to struggling St Johnstone.
But an Old Firm win at Ibrox got him back in the good books and it looks like the Hoops are starting to hit their stride again.
Last week’s 3-0 win at Livingston was probably their best performance of the season and it was all the more impressive given keeper Joe Hart saw red after just half an hour.
Celtic showed both style and steel at the Tony Macaroni and they will need both those qualities again today at Motherwell.
Stuart Kettlewell’s men gave Rangers a scare at Ibrox last weekend but paid a price for a lack of punch in attack as they lost 1-0.
That was a second successive blank for Well after losing 1-0 to St Mirren at home and they now face a Hoops side who have racked up four successive domestic clean sheets.
But the Steelmen have still been playing well and could cause Celtic a few problems so BTTS could be worth a punt at evens (McBookie).
We should see plenty of goals and Daizen Maeda appeals at 15/8 (William Hill) for anytime scorer. The Japanese ball of energy sometimes lacks an end product but he scored last week and also on his last trip to Fir Park.
We only saw six corners at Livingston last week but that was down to the fact Rodgers’ side had to play with 10 men for so long.
Most of Celtic’s domestic games have hit double figures and backing over 10 corners in this one pays 11/10 with Bet365.
- Sat 12:30 Motherwell vs Celtic Betting
Rangers and Aberdeen are also starting to hit form after dismal starts to the season led to grumbles in the stands.
Michael Beale’s men have won four in a row without conceding since that derby defeat while the Dons have claimed back-to-back victories over Ross County in league and cup.
They face each other at Ibrox today and going for cards is usually the wisest option in a fixture that has a tendency to descend into violence quicker than the reception for a shotgun wedding.
Backing Aberdeen at -1 in the card handicap (7/4, Bet365) looks good while Gers’ midfield enforcer John Lundstram is 9/4 with the same firm to pick up a card.
- Sat 15:00 Rangers vs Aberdeen Betting
Nick Montgomery has made an impressive start as Hibs boss and McBookie make his side 3/4 favourites to beat Dundee at home today.
Dutchman Dylan Vente delivered for me last week by scoring against St Johnstone so I’m sticking with him for anytime scorer at a best 7/4 with William Hill.
St Mirren lost to the Hibees in their League Cup quarter-final and now put their unbeaten league record on the line at Kilmarnock.
It has the makings of a war of attrition so the half-time draw looks the best option for punters at 21/20 with McBookie.
Hearts emerged from Rugby Park with a 2-1 victory in midweek and that cup win could spark their season back to life.
The Jambos head to Ross County today and I fancy Lawrence Shankland to end his scoring drought with a goal (29/20 Unibet).
St Johnstone host Livi in the other game and I like over 4.5 cards at 21/20 (Paddy Power).
Scottish Super singles
- Over 10 corners Fir Park (11/10, Bet365)
- Aberdeen -1 card handicap (7/4, Bet365)
- Vente to score (7/4, W Hill)
- HT draw at Killie (21/20, McBookie)
I'm a sports journalist, football tipster and author from Dundee, who is now working in Glasgow. I've covered games at every level, from Junior football to internationals, and still love football even though it has clearly sold its soul. I've been in football tipping since 2018 with the MFT site.
