Ex-SPL chief Roger Mitchell has said the collapse of Celtic 's Ten In A Row dream could benefit the club in the long-term.
Neil Lennon 's defending champions slumped to a seemingly unassailable 19 points behind leaders Rangers after losing at Ibrox on Saturday.
Their long-awaited dream of ten successive titles now seems a distant ambition as they now need to win all three of their games in hand AND flip ten points on their rivals between now and May.
Mitchell, however, said ahead of the match that no matter what the result, the future looks bright for Celtic.
And while the loss of Ten In A Row is a tough pill to swallow, he reckons it may spark a much-needed rebuild at Parkhead.
Using some characteristically colourful metaphors, Mitchell said on Twitter : "This is the Derby of the Phoenix. The question is simply can the bird last just long enough before crumbling in ashes? Because we all know it's at the end of its cycle.
"Regardless of the result, I'm actually excited and optimistic about the rebirth of the bird. Of what the new Celtic will be.
"The chances of change in our environment have never been higher. And the opportunity to really use tech and data gives hope for a new era of excellence.
"And in the new world of sport, where more than ever it's about nurturing your "community" in a direct relationship, we are very well placed.
"We have the ultimate diaspora and the strongest brand values. So strangely I'm more excited about the new phoenix than this one.
"All football teams live a parabola. In very few cases does the bird renew totally without dying. Ferguson and Stein are exceptions. If the appointment of Brendan Rodgers was the alpha, it's clear this season is the omega. I'd like Ten In A Row but I also fear it. It will delay the needed rebirth."
