Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic closing in on European record

Celtic’s midweek 4-0 demolition of Inverness means that they are now just two games away from wrapping up the Scottish Premiership title, as second placed Aberdeen fell to a shock defeat against league strugglers Hamilton Academical FC.

Should Aberdeen record a second successive loss this weekend, Celtic would have the opportunity to go 30 points clear at the top of the table with just 10 games left to play. This would mean that Aberdeen would be required to win each of their remaining matches, with Celtic losing all of theirs, to secure the title. Likewise, they would also have to overturn a massive +31 goal difference, too.

In reality, it is clear as day that the title race is over, as it has been for many, many months. Celtic remain unbeaten this season, having recorded 26 wins from 27 games. Overall, they have dropped just two points so far and are on track to join the elite group of ‘invincible’ sides that have won league titles without suffering a single defeat - the likes of Arsenal, AC Milan and Juventus.

With the title now (albeit unofficially) wrapped up, Celtic can now turn their attention to their other targets. Despite the insistence of both the manager and players that they aren’t focused on remaining unbeaten, achieving that goal will likely be at the top of the list, while they also have the European record for the biggest title winning points margin in their sights.

Up until last season, Celtic held the record for the biggest points difference after beating Motherwell to the 2013/14 Scottish Premiership title by 29 points. However, that was trumped by Ligue 1 side Paris Saint-Germain last season, who finished 31 points ahead of Lyon and Monaco.

There is a real chance that Celtic could regain the bragging rights at their first attempt this season. To do so, they need to pull just five more points ahead over the course of the next 11 matches

They will begin their attempt this weekend at Celtic Park, as they host league rivals Rangers, who currently sit in third place with 46 points. While certainly one of the biggest tests of Celtic’s season, Brendan Rodgers’ side will be confident that they can come away with their unbeaten run intact and three more points on the board.

Rangers will be a tough side to beat, but they have had a rough few months and come into the toughest game of their season at the wrong time. They have suffered four defeats in their last seven matches and have just seven points from that same spell. With Celtic maintaining a 100% record at home this season, it seems somewhat clear which way the result will go.

Graeme Murty’s side will be the last team that want to confirm Celtic as the 2016/17 Scottish Premiership winners, but if Aberdeen fail to get back to winning ways, Rangers could end up doing just that this weekend.