Greatness beckons for the side which emerges triumphant over the next 10 months of Ladbrokes Premiership action as both halves of the Old Firm go in search of their version of the Holy Grail.
And with so much at stake, there will be no room for error.
With eight consecutive league titles in the bag, Celtic stand on the brink of equalling Scotland’s previous record of nine in succession.
Jock Stein’s Parkhead side of the late 60s and early 70s managed the feat first before it was equalled by Walter Smith and Rangers’ big-spending band of the 90s.
Neil Lennon’s team are now desperate to add their names to that exclusive list – and open the door to a shot at the almost mythical 10 in a row.
For that reason, Steven Gerrard’s Ibrox squad will be willed on by the Light Blue legions to finally bring down the green-and-white era of domination and launch Rangers into a new resurgence with the club’s 55th league crown.
Celtic understandably remain the odds-on favourites after three straight domestic trebles.
Yet a squad that has smashed records and ripped up the history books while sweeping all domestic foes aside could be forgiven for dispensing with the distractions of domestic cup competitions and instead piling their entire focus into their league effort.
The Celtic faithful would certainly forgive a couple of early exits if it meant their team continued their march towards number 10.
Hiccups may naturally come simply as a consequence of the mini-rebuild Lennon has had to carry out following the departure of 12 players this summer.
Christopher Jullien, Luca Connell and Boli Bolingoli have arrived to replenish numbers but there could be further upheaval ahead should Arsenal step up their efforts to prise Kieran Tierney south.
Last year, it was not the head-to-head clashes with their bitter rivals which did for Rangers’ title hopes – rather the inability to shake off the rest of their opponents was to blame as Gerrard ended his rookie season nine points adrift of the champions.
The former Liverpool captain has acted to stiffen his side’s weak chin by signing Filip Helander, Joe Aribo, George Edmundson, Jordan Jones, Jake Hastie, Greg Stewart and Sheyi Ojo – but he is being made to wait by his old Anfield paymasters over the possibility of another loan move for Ryan Kent.
The return of the winger would have the Rangers support believing that this might be their year after all but if the answer from Merseyside comes back ‘no’ then Gerrard will be left scratching about in the final weeks of the transfer window for someone who, like Kent, could make the difference when it counts.
The battle for third place might just be as compelling as the race for the crown.
Kilmarnock were expertly guided to their highest league finish since 1966 last term by Steve Clarke but the new Scotland boss’ replacement Angelo Alessio made a nightmare start with a Europa League exit against Welsh part-timers Connah’s Quay Nomads.
Derek McInnes has looked to rejuvenate Aberdeen following the departure of skipper Graeme Shinnie to Derby by raiding the Rams for experienced midfielder Craig Bryson, while Hibernian will have a fresh look after Paul Heckingbottom lured eight new faces to Easter Road.
Hearts will believe they can be in the hunt so long as they do not suffer a repeat of the injury nightmare that cursed their bright start last term, although key man Peter Haring is set to sit out the opening two months of the campaign.
Motherwell and St Johnstone will hope they can put themselves in the fight for the top six. Fir Park boss Stephen Robinson could do with former Wolves winger Sherwin Seedorf living up to his family name while Tommy Wright is set to offer Stevie May a chance to kick-start his career back in Perth.
Livingston were the surprise package of last year but it will be an even more impressive performance if they can repeat their ninth-placed finish.
Hamilton are gearing up for their sixth straight season in the top flight and having pulled off so many unlikely escape acts it would be foolish to bet against Accies again.
St Mirren have had another summer of upheaval after axing Oran Kearney and replacing him with former skipper Jim Goodwin, but the Irishman admits the squad he has inherited is worryingly short on numbers and quality.
That will only boost confidence at newly-promoted Ross County as Steven Ferguson and Stuart Kettlewell’s side look to re-establish themselves in the top division.
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