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Monday Jury & Record Sport Online

Are Rangers favourites to win the title after sweeping Hearts aside at Ibrox? Monday Jury

Tom Rogic is back on form and among the goals. But with 18 months left on his Parkhead deal how important is it for Celtic to get him tied down again?

KEITH JACKSON: There’s no need to panic. Rogic looks settled and happy playing under his fellow Aussie. And Celtic did fine without him last Wednesday night. But Rogic is a special option which Ange Postecoglou will be confident of keeping in his group.

ANDY NEWPORT: There were plenty ready to write Rogic off last season but he’s always been one of the most gifted players in Scotland and Postecoglou’s arrival has brought him back to his best. At 29, he’s still got a few more years at the top left in him so a new deal should be a priority.

CRAIG SWAN: It’s not an issue right now. If all parties are happy, it’ll get sorted. Postecoglou said after the Motherwell game he hadn’t thought about it, which suggests there’s no major concern.

MICHAEL GANNON : It would be handy for Celtic to have an insurance policy for the Aussie as there are bound to be clubs looking at him again. He looked done at Parkhead but is now on another level.

(SNS Group)

Rangers came up with the perfect response to Wednesday’s Old Firm shocker as they swept Hearts aside - who’s favourites to win the title?

KEITH: Rangers have been up and down all season but showed yesterday that they remain a force to be reckoned with when on top form. Celtic, though, have been so relentless in their pursuit that it’s difficult to see them letting up now they have their noses in front and Ange Postecoglou has a proper squad to choose from. It’s theirs to lose.

ANDY: Right now Celtic - but given the way the balance of this title race has swung back and forth you wouldn’t be surprised to see Rangers edging out their rivals. It’s all shaping up for a belter of a run-in.

CRAIG: It’s 50/50. Rangers came back with a strong statement against Hearts and they will still have a say.

MICHAEL : It’s going to be a heck of a fight but Celtic are just shading it. They have hit top spot and top form, despite not having their strongest side out yet. Rangers made a great response but there could be more to come from the Hoops.

One win in the last six for Shaun Maloney. Is the rookie Hibs boss under pressure?

KEITH: Very much so. Maloney has big ideas for his side but he has to show signs of improvement. Right now Hibs are heading in only one direction. It’s not a good look.

ANDY: Hibs won’t want another messy divorce after their split with Jack Ross but the honeymoon is well and truly over for Maloney. He’d better start bringing home the bacon or he’ll soon find himself in the doghouse with Ron Gordon.

(SNS Group)

CRAIG: It’s far too early to be talking about pressure, but the Hibs boss needs to start getting results.

MICHAEL: Pressure comes with the territory at Hibs. Maloney has his work cut out putting his own stamp on a squad that’s lost a top player in Martin Boyle. He needs his signings to have an impact.

Now to the rugby. Scotland claimed Calcutta Cup glory yet again against the Auld Enemy. Is this finally our year to win the Six Nations?

KEITH: Scotland may have won but it wasn’t pretty. They’ll need to raise their game significantly to see off Ireland and France.

ANDY: With a trip to Dublin to face favourites Ireland among three away games still to come, it won’t be easy. But this side has knocked a whole host of monkeys off its back in recent times and a win in Cardiff next week will be a major statement of intent.

The Princess Royal presents the Calcutta Cup to Stuart Hogg as Scotland smashed the Auld Enemy (BBC screengrab)

CRAIG: Scotland were full of character to beat England and will need to be better in future games, but they can do it.

MICHAEL: They might never have a better chance with France at Murrayfield and England already sent packing. This Scotland side has promised a lot in recent times, let's see if they can finally deliver.

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