Kris Boyd is already feeling the heat and Celtic haven’t even kicked a ball yet

With Rangers dropping points against Hearts at Tynecastle on Saturday, Celtic could also deal an early blow to an Ibrox side who have been lurching from crisis to crisis throughout the summer.

For pro-Rangers pundits like Kris Boyd, it’s all getting to be too much. He can’t see past the Bhoys making it four in a row over his old side, making a “painful” prediction before a ball has even been kicked.

Kris Boyd on Celtic Rangers’ title race

He said in his newspaper column this weekend (Scottish Sun): “It breaks my heart to say this, but I think it’s a given that Celtic will be champions again this season. Rangers are facing too much chaos at Ibrox at the moment to make me think they can win the league.

“Who knows? I’ve been wrong before and maybe I’ll be wrong again. No one expected Ange Postecoglou to come to town and win the title in his first season in Scotland. Yet he’s managed to turn things around quickly. The difference is that Philippe Clement doesn’t have the kind of money needed to transform Rangers overnight.

“Despite the manager signing a new deal, there still seems to be a lot of chaos around Ibrox right now. At least Clement will be around to see the transformation the club needs.

“But let’s not get hung up on things. The only thing that matters to Rangers is winning football games, not long-term visions. So I still see this as an extremely painful season for the club’s fans.

“There will always be twists and turns throughout the season, as there always are. But Rangers will definitely need to bring more quality to the table to compete. I just can’t see anything other than Celtic being crowned champions again, as much as it pains me to say it.”

Celtic were never content with being crowned champions

The Lennoxtown camp won’t be paying much attention to pre-season predictions and proclamations.

Yes, they are in good shape – and could get stronger before the end of the transfer window – but within the coaching staff and squad, no one has ever been complacent about winning trophies.

Hard work and dedication will earn any trophy this season. The players will not take their eyes off that or rest on their many laurels.

Ultimately, it’s up to them to prove themselves again. A new campaign brings new challenges, different circumstances and, no doubt, a hurdle or two. Celtic are the favourites, without a doubt, but we’ll see on the pitch.

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