Andy Halliday has changed his prediction for the Scottish Premiership title after just two games of the new season – and now believes Celtic will be champions in May.
The former Rangers midfielder had backed his old club to reclaim the title this season, while predicting a difficult campaign for Martin O’Neill’s Celtic.
Two games in, he is already having to reconsider.
Rangers opened their league campaign with a draw away to Dundee United before suffering a damaging 2-1 defeat to Hibs at Ibrox on Sunday.
Derek McInnes’ side have now taken just one point from their opening two league matches, with pressure already mounting on the new Rangers boss.
Celtic, meanwhile, have made a perfect start.
After scraping past Dundee on the opening night, O’Neill’s side were transformed at Rugby Park, smashing five past Kilmarnock in a brilliant attacking display.
Kasper Høgh announced himself with a hat-trick, while Benjamin Nygren and Luke McCowan also got on the scoresheet.
The performance has clearly changed Halliday’s thinking.
Speaking on BBC Sportscene, he admitted his original prediction looks increasingly questionable.
“I think Celtic will win the league. Like I have told you before, I am terrible at making predictions, but I will be bold enough to give them.
“I actually predicted Rangers to win the league. I think it was about three or four weeks ago.
“My reason for that was, at that point in time, I said I think Rangers will still spend about £15-20 million worth of players. And I think Celtic will lose a lot of key players.
“In that short space of time, the only one who has left is Maeda. I thought Engels, Nygren and Alistair Johnston. I thought these players would be away at that point in time.”
And it is Celtic’s recruitment that has particularly changed his mind.
The Hoops have only brought in Høgh and Camilo Duran so far, but Halliday believes both have already improved the team.
“But I spoke about Rangers, for me, not having improved in key areas.
“But I look at Kasper Hogh. I look at Camilo Duran. They might have only made two signings at Celtic, but two of them look like they have improved them.
“Whereas Rangers have made nine now? Other than one or two, I am not sure it’s an improvement from last year.”
It’s quite the turnaround. Just weeks ago, Halliday expected Rangers to spend heavily and Celtic to lose several of their key players.
Instead, Daizen Maeda is the only major departure so far, while Engels and Johnston remain at the club – for now.
And Celtic’s two new attacking additions have already provided plenty of encouragement.
Høgh’s hat-trick at Rugby Park was the obvious headline, while Duran has shown flashes of the quality that persuaded Celtic to bring him in from Qarabag.
The bigger question is what happens next.
Celtic still need reinforcements, particularly out wide and in midfield, while the futures of Engels and Johnston remain uncertain.
Rangers, meanwhile, have plenty of new faces but are yet to show that the volume of recruitment has translated into an improved team.
Halliday’s prediction may have changed after just two games.
And if Celtic continue producing performances like Sunday’s, he might not be the last person forced to reconsider who will be lifting the trophy next May.
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