When Rangers romped to the 2020/21 Scottish Premiership title by a whopping 35 points, many thought that the Gers would become the dominant force north of the border. But since then, it’s been normal service resumed, and Celtic have retaken their rightful place at the summit of Scottish football. The current season looks to be no different.
Celtic’s Ongoing Dominance
After just 13 games of the new season, the Bhoys hold a mighty nine-point lead over their arch-rivals after winning 12 and drawing just one. Over at Ibrox, the performances have been so bad that even Aberdeen have overtaken them in the league table. The Dons are currently four points adrift of Celtic and seven clear of Rangers, sitting pretty in second place in the table.
Many thought that the Hoops might struggle this season, especially because start player Matt O’Riley headed south during the summer. He and new club Brighton have both shone this term, leaving any fears of them falling behind firmly in the rear-view mirror, as displayed by the latest Premier League relegation odds making them a rank 33/1 outsider for the drop this term.
Back at O’Riley’s former home, Celtic Park, things are similarly rosy. Following the blistering start to the campaign of Brendan Rodgers’ side, the Bhoys are now a mightily short 1/50 to win their fourth straight title this term. To put that into perspective for those who are unsure of how to calculate odds, one would need to place £50 on Celtic to win the title to claim just £1 of profit on top of their stake.
But their current dominance is nothing out of the ordinary, especially against their rivals from across Glasgow. Here are Celtic’s biggest ever points margins to their greatest rivals.
Five goals & five clear for the Celts! #CELROS | #CelticFC pic.twitter.com/10FhbNXDIM
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) November 30, 2024
2016/17 – 39 Points
Back in 2016/17, Celtic were expected to be challenged at the top of the Premiership table following Rangers’ fourth and final promotion. What ultimately unfolded, however, was Celtic’s biggest-ever points total over their nemesis. The Hoops finished a monstrous 39 points clear of the Gers, with Aberdeen sandwiched between the two, 30 adrift of the eventual champion Celts.
Under Rodgers once again, the campaign is arguably the finest in the club’s history. Celtic finished the season without a single defeat, winning 34 of their 38 games including a pair of 5-1 victories against Rangers, one at Celtic Park and one at Ibrox. Their points total of 106 was the highest in history.
2011/12 – 20 Points
Five years prior, Rangers were amid their financial woes. They fell into administration that term and, as such, were docked ten points by the Scottish FA before being demoted down to the Third Division. This, coupled with Celtic’s stellar form under Neil Lennon, resulted in the Bhoys finishing 20 points clear of their rivals.
Gary Hooper was instrumental in the success at Parkhead, netting 24 league goals. Alongside him, Anthony Stokes and midfield maestro Kris Commons played pivotal roles in an attack-minded side. The defensive solidity provided by Fraser Forster in goal and Charlie Mulgrew’s versatility at the back ensured Celtic conceded only 21 league goals that season.
Perhaps the most memorable match came in December 2011, when Celtic defeated Rangers 1-0 at Celtic Park thanks to a thunderous strike from Joe Ledley. That victory sent Celtic top of the table, a position they never relinquished.
