Rangers hero Kris Boyd has played down John Kennedy's bold Celtic claim - insisting no team that is 20 points off the pace can be the nation's top dog.
The interim Parkhead boss was bullish after the 6-0 rout Livingston and said the dethroned champions are "still the best team in the country."
With Kennedy's men trailing Rangers by 20 points and conceding to the earliest title defeat in Scottish football history, former Ibrox striker Boyd laughed off the comment.
And he reckons it's all part of the plan to boost the Celtic players confidence going into the massive Scottish Cup clash.
He told the Sky Sports Scottish Football Podcast: "I didn't understand the comments, to be honest”
Boyd chuckled: “Being the best in the country - but 20 points behind in the table.
"Yes, there's a bit of mind games going into the Scottish Cup game, but the be-all and end-all is the league, and that was sewn up months ago.
"For Celtic, it's been a very disappointing season, no doubt about it, but you're always looking to the Scottish Cup."
Boyd expects the cup showdown to be vital to both Glasgow sides as they look ahead to next season.
He added: "I've always said it, you win the league but to play the Scottish Cup on the last day of the season, go away over the summer with a winner's medal around your neck, having lifted the trophy, is a big thing.
"It sets you up for the following season, you always look forward to it."
