Russell Martin warned another Rangers stumble will hand 56 to Celtic as 'dismal' Ibrox side torn apart by Jury
Our top team run the rule over the four big questions facing Scottish football this week
Where are Rangers placed ahead of huge games with Brugge and Celtic?
ANDY NEWPORT: Still under considerable scrutiny. Qualifying for the Champions League is in all honesty the last thing this team needs right now while it strives to work out just what it’s supposed to be doing but Russell Martin’s men do need to regain some pride against Brugge if they want to take on Celtic with any semblance of confidence.
ANTHONY EVANS: Not well at all. A dismal Premiership start has done little to win over Russell Martin’s detractors and Rangers’ frail defensive issues will once again be exposed in Europe. Celtic of course have work to do in the Champions League themselves but there is no doubting which side of the Glasgow divide you would rather be in right now.
CRAIG SWAN: Not in a great space. Paisley was another setback for Russell Martin and the Hamza Igamane carry-on has just added to the mire. He needs a big result in the next six days to get some breathing space.
RYAN MCDONALD: It’s a monumental week for Russell Martin. The odds are stacked against a miraculous turnaround in Belgium, but another pasting won’t go down well with an already irate fanbase. As for the Old Firm? Lose at Ibrox and you might as well hand Celtic title No.56 right now.
Can Celtic beat Kairat Almaty in Kazakhstan and reach the Champions League proper?
ANDY: For all that they lacked a zip in the first leg it would still be a major surprise if Celtic didn’t get the job done in the second leg. The travel and time difference won’t make it easy but Brendan Rodgers’ side have experienced this all before.
ANTHONY: Yes. There is a lot of noise around the lack of incomings at Parkhead but the players that Brendan Rodgers currently has at his disposal have enough about them to get the job done in Kazakhstan, even if it isn’t pretty. Kairat will fancy it, but if the Hoops can quieten the crowd with an early goal, they should be okay.
CRAIG: Celtic have never had it simple in Kazakhstan and this won’t be any different, but Brendan Rodgers’ men can squeeze through by the odd goal.
RYAN: The tie really is on a knife-edge. Celtic have a habit of making life difficult on the continent and they’ll need to become the first Scottish team to win on Kazakh soil. It’ll be a nervy night, but they’ll get the job done. Just.
How to you rate Hibs and Aberdeen's chances in Thursday's Euro playoffs?
ANDY: They’re both still in with a chance. Hibs might have a lead to overturn in Warsaw but with their pace and power up front I fancy them to cause an upset against Legia. Aberdeen did well to recover from going two goals down against FCSB but I worry about their lack of options in the forward areas.
ANTHONY: Hibs showed that they can fight back from adversity in the last round against Partizan at Easter Road, albeit against 10 men. You’d be a fool to completely write David Gray’s team off and if Martin Boyle and Kieran Bowie are at it they could secure themselves a place in the Conference League groups.
Aberdeen have done well to keep their Europa League play-off tie against FCSB alive but Jimmy Thelin’s men will find keeping a clean sheet in Romania extremely hard. The question is will they be able to outscore them? Sadly, I think not.
CRAIG: Slim. Both teams really needed leads to take away. But Hibs showed in Belgrade they can deliver on foreign soil and the Dons exposed some Romanian weakness in the first leg, so fingers crossed.
RYAN: Hibs’ chances look bleak as they prepare to experience one of the most hostile atmospheres in Europe. Aberdeen mounted a stirring two-goal comeback to keep their Europa League dreams alive, but I’m unconvinced they have what it takes to win in Romania.
Are St Johnstone already looking like Championship promotion certs?
ANDY: They’ve got off to a great start under Simo Valakari. There were certainly signs last season that he was worth another go, so it was great to see Adam Webb stand by him after their relegation agony. But the Championship is wonderfully unpredictable so don’t be surprised if someone else gives Saints a run for their money.
ANTHONY: I think so. The Saints’ board made the correct call in sticking with Simo Valakari after relegation last season as you could see the Finn’s team did have something about them. Valakari has recruited well with the likes of Stevie Mallan and Jack Baird and while the Championship is as competitive as ever, my money would be on the Perth club to make a quickfire return.
CRAIG: Simo Valakari’s men are flying and already have an eight-point cushion over Ross County, who were perceived to be their biggest threat. Early signs are positive for Saints.
RYAN: It’s been a flawless start and St Johnstone are actually an entertaining watch under Simo Valakari. They’ve recruited well this summer and if they can find a goalscorer, the Saints will be marching back into the Premiership.