THREEDOM OF THE CITY

If Callum, Matt and Reo are bang at it, the title is done

- CHRIS SUTTON

CALLUM MCGREGOR. Matt O'Riley. Reo Hatate.

It's going to take more than three players for Celtic to get the job done against Rangers. But if the trio fire, the title will belong to Brendan Rodgers.

Celtic have been patchy this season, no question.

But it's striking that McGregor, O'Riley and Hatate have barely started any games together.

If they have, they've not always been at full pelt due to returning from injury lay-offs.

Statistics are not always my strongest suit but, going through the lists, I can see Celtic's midfield trio have started just six Premiership games together out of 35 played.

Rodgers' team have won the lot. Against Livingston, Motherwell, Kilmarnock and Hearts last autumn then Dundee and Hearts again in the past fortnight.

I'd argue the two displays against the Jambos in that sequence were among the best of the season and it's obvious Celtic are a different animal when these boys are working in unison.

Fair enough, Paulo Bernardo had a big influence on the New Year derby with his performance and goal in the 2-1 win for Rodgers' team.

But it remains fairly impressive Celtic have managed to win two of the Old Firm games this season and draw the other without having their first-pick midfield as a combined starting unit.

They are proven players, with top-class ability and, crucially, an ability to handle the pressure situation they'll face tomorrow on the big stage.