Former Celtic boss Neil Lennon believes the race for the Premiership between his former team and Rangers will be "close" - a season after the Ibrox side romped the earliest win in history.
The Irishman left Parkhead in February after a season to forget as Steven Gerrard 's team ended a ten-year wait for a league title.
Both Rangers and Celtic have already lost games this season though with Hearts, Hibs and Aberdeen all registering 100 per cent starts.
It's left Lennon feeling it will be harder than ever to win the title as there are so many strong teams in the division.
Speaking to BBC's Breakfast Show, he said: "Yeah, it will be close.
"I don't think Rangers have hit the ground running as yet, obviously they had that spell where they lost a few games and the European tie is still in the balance.
"It's a big week for both Celtic and Rangers, I don't think either tie is a foregone conclusion and then obviously it's a big game at the weekend as well.
"I think Aberdeen look strong, Hibs have been really consistent under Jack and I think Hearts will give people a bloody nose this season as well."
The two Glasgow giants will meet in the first Old Firm derby of the season next weekend at Ibrox.
Both teams are in action the Thursday prior with Celtic travelling to AZ Alkmaar while Rangers face a gruelling 5,000 mile round trip to Armenia just 72 hours before the big game.
It's a fixture Lennon knows well from his days as a player and a coach and he added: "I always enjoyed them, they were great occasions, as a manager as well.
"They are always good to win but not so great to lose, obviously.
"It's a great occasion and it's always one of the fixtures in world football people talk about or look to just due to the history of it all.
"It depends on how results go midweek, psychologically if both teams go through then the game is in the balance but if one goes out then the other team psychologically gets the upper hand.
"Celtic lost to Hearts in the opening game of the season then Rangers lose the following weekend to Dundee United. Celtic win 6-0 the next day - it could be nip and tuck the whole way.
"I think this season a few of the other teams are stronger and they will take points off the big two as we go along."
