Charlie Nicholas reckons Celtic will sound the "death knell" on Rangers' season this weekend.
The Glasgow rivals are set to collide in the Scottish Cup semi-final on Sunday and the pundit expects Ange Postecoglou's side to emerge victorious.
And he believes that will spark a bitter inquest at Ibrox.
However, the pundit and former Celtic star insists manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst should be spared if his side are knocked out at Hampden.
Nicholas is adamant the finger should instead be pointed at the "arrogant" Rangers board, who he says have "taken their eye off the ball" in the transfer market after cantering to last season's title with Celtic in crisis.
Postecoglou has reversed fortunes at Parkhead and is now on course for a domestic Treble, with his side sitting six points clear at the Premiership summit having already wrapped up the Premier Sports Cup.
Nicholas claims the situation is a damning indictment of the men in power at Rangers.
"I reckon Celtic will end Rangers ' season in the Scottish Cup semi-finals this weekend," Nicholas wrote in his Scottish Daily Express column.
"If Rangers have exited the Europa League after Thursday's clash with Braga, losing out to the Hoops at Hampden on Sunday really would be the death knell for the Ibrox club's hopes of glory this term.
"And, if that scenario becomes reality, there will be a lot of finger-pointing from the light blue side of Glasgow. But blame should not be laid at the door of Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
"It will be down to the Rangers board and their lack of humility.They wanted to fight the world, with their arrogance on full display.
"The board took their collective eyes off the ball when failing to strengthen their squad adequately after winning the Premiership title last season - and are now deservedly receiving a healthy dose of reality as Celtic charge towards the title.
"They really didn't deliver much in the summer for previous boss Steven Gerrard before bringing in Aaron Ramsey,Amad Diallo and James Sands on loan in January.
"Vitally, though, they failed to provide competition for the central striking options of Alfredo Morelos and Kemar Roofe.
"Van Bronckhorst has not been helped at all and so I wouldn't blame him for the situation Rangers are in.
"It could be they win in Europe and beat Celtic in the cup to partially cover up the Ibrox issues. But I can't see that happening."
