Hugh Keevins: Even A Broken Clock Can Get The Time Right

Now you're talking.

Two great games at Celtic Park and Easter Road. Two terrific debates on whether the Old Firm have, or have not, wrapped up their respective league titles before Guy Fawkes night.

Two reminders of why talking about football is infinitely preferable to being mired in rows over conspiracies, agendas, personal likes and dislikes and all of the other inconsequential stuff that is Scottish football's excess baggage.

The season has taken flight and it would soar even higher if Celtic could beat Molde in their Europa League group tie at home on Thursday night.

Sending best wishes to Scotland's last representative in Europe is, or should be, an obligation if you want to see your country prosper in any sporting context.

The fact that I, and countless others, have questioned Ronny Deila's record in Europe over the last eighteen months doesn't mean you can't wish the man well as he seeks to leave his detractors with egg on their faces.

Anybody in this line of work who worries about getting back what they've dished out should be looking for an alternative type of employment.

When I tipped Rangers to lose 2 - 1 to Hibs on Sunday, and got a prediction right for a change, it wasn't done out of any kind of malice where Mark Warburton was concerned. I simply thought that is what would happen in Edinburgh and said so.

I also thought Celtic would beat Aberdeen three-nil, and if Deila's defence hadn't lost concentration with a couple of minutes to go and given Adam Rooney a free header at goal then that guess would have been proved correct as well.

And therein lies the key to the visit of the Norwegians. Celtic have failed to win any of their last eight Europa League ties because whatever good work is done by Leigh Griffiths or Kris Commons or anybody else in a forward going role is inevitably undone by defensive laxity.

Hopefully that will not be the case this time and Celtic will continue to fly the flag for Scotland by eventually emerging from their group and entering the last thirty-two in the competition.

For what it's worth, and after the weekend there may be a modicum of hope for me as a tipster of some credibility, I think Celtic will win and take the fight for survival to Ajax at home and Fenerbahce away.

Put me down for a 3 -1 win for Celtic and insert this caveat at the same time.

If there is no praise available when a prediction is correct then there can be no criticism when another one proves to be incorrect, isn't that right and fair? But my thanks to the many on social media who pointed out that even a clock that is broken can be right twice a day.

I've been compared to many things in my time, but a broken clock is a new one.

You simply have to stand by what you said, although Mark Warburton did appear to contradict himself at the weekend.

The man who said there was no plan B, only a dedication to work harder on plan A, changed his team's shape against Hibs and the alteration ultimately cost him when Paul Hanlon scored the winner after Danny Wilson's height had been removed from Rangers' defence.

But the manager says his players are angry and will fight back. Meanwhile Alan Stubbs says he knows of no league that is decided in November.

Five points separate Rangers from Hibs. Six points is the gap between leaders Celtic and second placed Hearts in the Premiership.

The shouting and bawling you can hear is the supporters from Glasgow arguing over who has won what in a premature fashion and who has jumped the gun in terms of championship-winning analysis.

It's what we do.

Rangers will play struggling Alloa Athletic at Ibrox on Saturday and win comfortably. Hibs will be a few miles along the road at St. Mirren needing to maintain their run of form to make sure the impact they've made in the title race isn't damaged by any self inflicted wounds. Whatever happens against Molde, Celtic will need to put the working clothes on and get their hands dirty against Ross County in Dingwall.

It's good this football, isn't it?