Celtic’s Europa League victory over Lazio on Thursday night has given them a huge advantage over Rangers in the race for the Scottish Premiership title, according to former Aberdeen star Noel Whelan.
The Bhoys produced the shock result of the latest round of group stage fixtures with a stunning 2-1 victory at the Stadio Olimpico.
A 95th-minute winner from Olivier Ntcham saw Neil Lennon’s side leave the Eternal City with three points and secured their place in the last 32 of the tournament.
The Scottish champions can put their feet up for their remaining two group fixtures following their Italian job and rest their big-name players for their domestic fixtures.
And Whelan believes that could pay dividends for the Hoops in their race to beat their bitter rivals Rangers – who have yet to qualify for the next round of the Europa League – to the title.
The former Dons striker told Football Insider: “When you look at the Premiership and how close it is, separated by one goal on goal difference, it gives them that breathing space.
“They don’t need to go and qualify, they’ve already done it, now they can concentrate on the league.
“On the other hand Steven Gerrard – three points ahead of Feyenoord, having to go over there in the next game – still has a lot of work to do and that can put the pressure on the player because games are important and that can take a lot out of you as a football player, that concentration level.
“Knowing you need to go to the next team below you, if you can get a point, fantastic, but you’ve got to say in Premiership terms and in title predicament, it’s fallen better for Celtic – they’ve done their job already, they’re there already, they can now concentrate on the Premiership games whereas Rangers have one eye on European qualification and on the Premiership.”
Rangers are currently on course to seal qualification to the last 32 following their 2-0 victory over Porto at Ibrox.
Steven Gerrard’s men currently are joint leaders of Group G with seven points to their name.
They’ll look to seal qualification to the knockout stages on the 28th when they travel to the Netherlands to take on Feyenoord.