Rangers have withdrawn their request to postpone their Premiership clash against St Mirren, and the reason, it’s been claimed, has everything to do with Celtic.

After dropping points in their opening two league matches, the Ibrox club are already four behind Brendan Rodgers’ side. They had originally asked for the St Mirren fixture to be moved to help with European commitments, but that request has now been quietly pulled.

It’s understood the decision to keep the match on the calendar was influenced by the potential points gap Celtic could open up before the first derby of the season. If Rangers had sat out the weekend of the 23rd, and Celtic beat Livingston as expected, the gap would have stretched to seven before a ball was kicked at Ibrox.

Andy Walker believes the reversal is a direct response to Celtic’s early momentum in the title race.

He said: (Go Radio Football Show), “Well, what’s changed is Rangers have drawn their first two league games.

“They would assume that Celtic will beat Livingston if the game against St. Mirren is postponed. That would take it to seven points.

“And then you’ve got the prospect of Celtic coming to Ibrox at the end of the month with the potential of being ten points in front.

“And that’s the reason they’ve changed it.”

Brendan Rodgers has made no secret of the importance he places on strong starts. With two wins from two, Celtic are setting the pace, while Rangers already find themselves playing catch-up.

The decision to keep their domestic calendar intact suggests Russell Martin is now under pressure to stop the bleeding early, and that the club see the upcoming visit from Celtic as a make-or-break moment.

For Celtic, the task remains simple. Win at Livingston and go into Ibrox with maximum points and all the pressure on their rivals.