It may well only be September, but we really do have a fight on our hands at the business end of the Scottish Premiership table.

Forget Celtic's dominant win over Rangers at Ibrox for just a minute.

Okay, forget it for 30 seconds, then.

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Yes Celtic showed their rivals how it's done with a 2-0 win earlier this season and, yes, they've started the campaign on fire.

But Saturday's draw with Hibs proved that the Hoops are not all-conquering.

A stuttering draw with Paul Heckingbottom's struggling side was not good enough - albeit they were denied two stonewall penalties.

Meanwhile back in Glasgow, Rangers dismantled Aberdeen in a 5-0 drubbing that could've been 10-0.

Steven Gerrard's men walked all over the Dons - a side who would usually cause them a lot more problems than they did - just about an hour after watching Celts falter in Leith.

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The Gers boss admitted in his post-match chat that knowing Celts had dropped points gave his players a lift.

That appears to be the major difference this season for the Light Blues.

A demand from Gerrard and Rangers' fans to take themselves seriously as title contenders.

In previous years there hasn't been much of a challenge for Celtic.

Rangers were finding their feet last season under their then-new boss who had his own ideas to implement. His own authority to stamp.

A treble Treble for Celtic has forced serious spending at Ibrox as they bid to wrestle any trophy from the paws of their rivals.

More than £10million has been spent by Gerrard this summer which is a sign of intention that there's no messing about this term.

Alfredo Morelos and Jermain Defoe are on a hot streak between them and can't seem to stop scoring goals.

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Ryan Kent and Sweden international Filip Helander are big-money signings.

Across the city, Ryan Christie is in scintillating form and from midfield has already scored an impressive 11 goals in all competitions.

Odsonne Edouard continues to shine in his striking role and Christopher Jullien looks a solid acquisition.

Previously Rangers may not have been able to keep up with their rivals.

And yes, it may be just too early to tell whether this season will be any different.

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But the manner in which both teams have started and the mindset Rangers will be in - psychologically a 5-0 defeat of Aberdeen to stay on Celtic's tail - is extremely promising.

If both sides can keep up their early form - we're in for our first real title race in years.