Celtic’s recent stumble, a 1-1 draw against Motherwell, seemed a significant misstep in their SPFL title pursuit. However, the impact of those dropped points has been mitigated, following rivals Rangers’ identical result at Pittodrie. In a dramatic turn of events, Rangers, vying to close the gap on Celtic, could only manage a draw against Aberdeen, courtesy of a contentious last-minute penalty.

This outcome at Pittodrie has kept the league status quo, with Rangers missing a crucial opportunity to narrow Celtic’s lead. Their failure to secure a win, especially in contrast to Celtic’s emphatic 6-0 victory over Aberdeen a fortnight ago, has been a significant blow to their title aspirations.

The nature of Rangers’ draw, relying on a soft penalty to salvage a point, has only added to the sense of a missed opportunity for them. This result underscores the unpredictable nature of the league and the challenges that even top teams face in maintaining consistency.

For Celtic, this turn of events is a stroke of fortune. Their own disappointing draw with Motherwell had threatened to open the door for Rangers, but now, the status quo in the SPFL remains intact.

Celtic’s comprehensive victory over Aberdeen a fortnight ago demonstrated their attacking prowess and ability to dominate games, something Rangers struggled to replicate.

As the season progresses, maintaining consistency and capitalising on rivals’ slip-ups will be crucial for Celtic. While they still hold the upper hand, the league is far from decided, and every match becomes increasingly consequential.

For Rangers, the failure to capitalise on Celtic’s earlier draw serves as a missed opportunity in their chase. Every point dropped at this stage could prove costly.