When Philippe Clement assumed the reins at Rangers, few could have foreseen the upward trajectory that would place the Ibrox side right in the thick of the title race against Celtic.

Once languishing seven points behind our Old Firm rivals, Rangers appeared disjointed and lacking in merit. Yet, in a mere five months under Clement’s guidance, the club’s squad has metamorphosed into genuine title contenders.

In numerical terms, a victory over Celtic at Ibrox next week could propel Rangers two points ahead in the standings, with a bonus game awaiting against Dundee the following Wednesday.

As Celtic managed to navigate a challenging first half to conquer relegation-threatened Livingston, attention now fiercely pivots towards Ibrox. The high stakes are amplified by Parkhead’s status as league leaders, setting the stage for a tantalizing clash.

Despite technically holding a game in hand, Rangers enter the upcoming duel as hunters, a dramatic shift stemming from a contentious Dens Park postponement.

While Rangers may hold a slight edge in the title pursuit, the age-old maxim of “points on the board” lingers ominously.

The onus is now on Rangers to seize the moment, to vanquish Celtic and proclaim their ambitions for this season loudly. Anything short of victory will cast doubt on the team’s championship aspirations, yet with every trial comes the promise of redemption.

A triumph over Celtic could drain the life out of their title challenge, potentially loosening their grip on the championship trophy ahead of the final six crucial matches.

The looming prospect of a significant five-point swing offers a substantial advantage at this juncture, but first, there is the hurdle of next week’s showdown to overcome.

The spotlight now shines brightly on the Ibrox matchwinners tasked with toppling the Celtic juggernaut. With a win still elusive this season, questions hover over the ability of Rangers’ top talents like Cyriel Dessers, Abdallah Sima, and Tom Lawrence to leave their mark on the derby.

Fabio Silva and Mohamed Diomande, though yet untested in this fixture, face a pivotal juncture in cementing their legacy at Rangers.

All focus converges on the high-noon duel next Sunday between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox. Should the wind blow in Philippe Clement’s favor, the trophy will appear tantalizingly within reach.