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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Mark Pirie

What the Celtic pundits said as John Collins gushes over title credentials amid Rangers 'pressure'

Pundit John Collins insists Rangers can't afford any more slip-ups after Celtic's dramatic win over Dundee.

Ange Postecoglou's side left it late to extend their lead to three points in a five-goal thriller with the Premiership's bottom side.

A Giorgos Giakoumakis hat-trick saved the day after goals Danny Mullen and Ryan Sweeney made Celtic work for the three points.

Former Parkhead midfielder Collins was delighted with the late showing against Mark McGhee's men.

And after Rangers were held by Dundee United, he insists the pressure is now all on the defending champions.

Collins told Celtic TV: "I think since the start of the season we (Celtic) have been playing catch up.

"Rangers have been out in front and that brings a lot of stress and pressure on the players, the manager and the supporters.

"All of a sudden it's flipped and we are the one on top and they are the chasers. Now the pressure is on Rangers. They can't afford to have slip-ups. We just concentrate on keeping winning games, and they can't catch us.

"If you are three, four or five points behind Rangers and they are playing on the Sunday and they have won and go eight points clear, it brings added pressure.

"The players and the manager have coped with that pressure for four or five months. Now it's flipped. It's a nice place to be; three points clear and with the goal difference it's nearly four points. It's a nice place to be."

Fellow pundit Jackie McNamara urged Postecoglou's side to keep the focus on their results rather than looking over their shoulder.

He said: "Every game now is crucial, and every point.

"You see how it can swing today (Sunday), it could easily go the other way with a draw, so credit to them for getting the winner.

"It's a big week. A big game on Thursday and a big, massive game against Hibs next Sunday which is a tough place to go.

"(When I was a player) we knew that we just had to keep winning, it didn't really matter what Rangers are doing.

"You have that momentum. If you are chasing, they look at your results every week and see what the match is, what the game is

"If you are on top, you just keep winning, pure and simple and you don't look at anybody else."

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