The title race pressure cooker is ramping up with the post-split fixtures kicking off this weekend.
Confident Brendan Rodgers insisted that Celtic "come alive" at this stage of the season - but Rangers hero Lee McCulloch reckons he can see the nerves coming through the Parkhead side. .
The comments following the win over St Mirren were interpreted by some pundits and fans as mind games to ramp the pressure up on Philippe Clement and Rangers for the final run-in - but ahead of the first of the post-split fixtures this weekend McCulloch reckons that the Hoops' may not have the advantage that the Irishman detected.
When looking ahead to Celtic's clash with Dundee at Dens Park, McCulloch told PLZ: "I think when you go back to last week and the Old Firm semi-finals for both teams, I don't think either of them played particularly well. I think Rangers have got a good scoreline and Celtic have got through on penalties before an away games.
"I think the cup can be different from the league. Two weeks ago I don't think they will drop points outside of the Old Firm game. I think when you look now the possibly could. You look at both squads and nerves are kicking in, when you look at how both squads performed. I still think it will come down to the Old Firm game, though."
Going into the clash on Tayside, Rodgers was quizzed about his "coming alive" comments and doubled down. He said: "That is the expectation. We are not here on holiday."
Lee Mcculloch Celtic FC Rangers FC Scottish Cup Scottish Premiership Philippe Clement
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