The next three games for the Old Firm will not decide the title one way or the other, but the results could determine how much Celtic have to spend next month to stop Rangers winning back-to-back championships.

There’s no doubt the Ibrox outfit have the tougher build- up to the derby at Celtic Park on January 3 with Hibs and Dundee United on the way before heading to the east of the city.

Walter Smith’s team has the momentum and the form at the moment and I reckon they could get seven points from nine over the festive period.

That would give Rangers a good lead to try and protect against the expected onslaught in January.

I can’t help but feel the team will be weakened by predators in the transfer window, with Allan McGregor the most likely casualty in a tempting bid from down south.

That said, Hibs is the biggest challenge Rangers will have this season outwith Celtic over 90 minutes.

There seems to be a real surge of confidence and belief around Easter Road at the moment and, if John Hughes’ team don’t take Rangers over in their own backyard, we can forget about them as serious title contenders.

Now to Celtic. I watched the shambles at Tynecastle last Sunday and the alarm bells are ringing right across the back four.

If Andreas Hinkel is hoping for a right-back berth for Germany at the World Cup in South Africa in the summer then I am striking them off the coupon as possible winners.

Danny Fox should give up the modelling and concentrate on defending.

As for the Keystone Cops in the centre of defence, Ruud Krol, Johan Cruyff, Wim van Hanegem, Denis Bergkamp and Marco van Basten must be questioning Glenn Loovens’ family tree, because passing to a team-mate has escaped him and 40 and 50-yard diagonals are completely beyond him!

I’ve been bumping my gums for close on two years about how bad Celtic’s backline is and the reinforcements better get here soon or it’s goodbye to title No.2.

Even Kevin Keegan’s Newcastle and Ossie Ardiles’ Tottenham came a cropper trying to score four after gifting the opposition three.

Of course, I am aware it is the season for giving, but Celtic’s defence is stretching the festive spirit of even the most diehard fan in green and white with their charitable attitude.

The one shining light continues to be Aiden McGeady. He was unplayable at Tynecastle and unless he witnesses some ambition from the Parkhead board soon, he’ll be itching for the Premier League in England.

Tony Mowbray has to take maximum points from Hamilton and Kilmarnock to set up a thriller on home turf in 2010.

A win in the Old Firm game is vital, but I wonder how many debutants will be on show wearing green and white?

Fantasy would be Ki Sung-Yueng and four defenders. The reality might be one, possibly two new faces alongside the South Korean.

I hope you all have a very merry Christmas.

It is supposed to be a time for giving and sharing, which tells me Santa this year will be played by Gary Caldwell.

It’s also a time where we indulge in telling fairytales, so if my team-mate here at SportTimes, Derek Johnstone, is to be believed, there might be a new owner underneath the Christmas tree at Ibrox, too ...