A Kew Heavins exclusive: This upcoming weekend is the weekend Celtic’s title aspirations fall apart

As you are all well aware, predictions are my thing.

I rarely, if ever, get my predictions wrong when it comes to Scottish football.

Especially when it involves the two Glasgow clubs.

With the international break almost at an end, it is time for Glasgow’s big yins to resume hostilities.

And what a difference a fortnight can make.

A couple of weeks ago, the Ibrox side were manager-less, rudderless, and clueless as to which direction they were headed in.

Today, they are back in the ascendency.

The Ibrox board has pulled off a masterstroke.

Before I go any further, you are aware that Belgium is ranked as the fifth best footballing nation in the world, aren’t you?

Well, John Bennett, with the help of Graeme Souness, has exceeded all expectations and managed to acquire the services of one of Belgium’s mightiest football minds.

None other than Philippe Clemence.

A man with vast experience in the Belgian game, he has 3 Belgian titles under his belt, and 11 years of managing at the top.

Ironically, he began his managerial career in 2012, the same year that the Ibrox side began the “journey”.

It would seem that destiny has conspired to bring the two together.

As if it was meant to be.

After 57 years at this journalism business, an old codger like me recognises something like this.

I, of course, am a Sellick fan, but I recognise greatness when I see it, and I’m not afraid to call it out when I do.

Listening to Clemence talk after his unveiling on Tuesday, I could sense the greatness oozing off him.

This man knows football.

But he was given his P45 by Monaco, I hear you shout!

There was a reason for that, a confluence of events, which aligned to bring him to his true calling.

The Ibrox job!

On Tuesday, he spoke with supreme confidence, with a calmness not seen for quite some time from an Ibrox manager.

I know I often talk about the pitfalls of managing in the Glasgow bubble.

I know I’m inclined to refer to it as a life and death job, where scatter guns, human sacrifices, revolutions, and mutual loathing are the order of the day.

But there was just something about Clemence that made me believe he is above all of this kind of nonsense.

This does not auger well for Celtic and Brendan Rodgers.

With his confidence and calmness, it was almost as if Clemence swept away Celtic’s seven point lead before his new charges had even kicked a ball in anger.

I alluded to my prediction abilities from the outset of this article, and I predict a disastrous weekend ahead for Celtic.

Brendan Rodgers’ side have to go to an extremely partisan Tynecastle, with little or no fans, and win, to ensure they maintain their seven point lead over Clemence and his Ibrox side.

They will lose to Hearts.

Thus ensuring the gap remains reduced to four points.

The Ibrox side, now under the steady hand of Clemence, will despatch Hibernian with ease on Saturday.

This, I would bet my house on.

I would also happily bet my picture of Charlie Tully that the Ibrox side will be awarded a penalty on their way to an easy victory.

Maybe even two.

Far be it from me to say that Don Robertson will feel the need to help Philippe Clemence to bed in.

Perish the thought!

I’ve said time and time again throughout my 80 year career that we have the best referees in Europe.

I will never change my stance on that subject.

Celtic fans suffer from paranoid delusion when it comes to referees in Scotland.

I have tried many times, but to no avail, to steer them right on this subject.

An old codger like me can tell a good referee from a bad one, and there are no bad referees in Scotland.

Only in England, where corruption reigns supreme.

You need only look to Tottenham vs Liverpool recently to confirm that.

That incident also showed us that our VAR technology is far superior to the version used in the EPL.

We have things well in hand in Scotland.

The fact that we can attract the likes of Philippe Clemence to our game, shows the rest of Europe how well run we are.

But I digress.

I see an exciting period of dominance ahead for the Ibrox side under the steady hand of Mr. Clemence.

And you know I don’t get my predictions wrong!

Celtic are in for a torrid time this weekend.

By the time they’ve dropped another 3 points at Easter Road, the Ibrox side will be breathing down their necks.

Rodgers and his charges will crumble after that.

Just remember you heard it here first.