Monday 24 October 2016 13:38, UK
Andy Walker believes Celtic and Aberdeen will prove to be Scottish football's leading two teams this season, ahead of their meeting this weekend.
Celtic maintained their unbeaten domestic run under Brendan Rodgers when they defeated Old Firm rivals Rangers 1-0 on Sunday to set up a League Cup final meeting with Aberdeen next month.
They meet before then in the Premiership, live on Sky Sports 5 HD from 11.30am on Saturday, with Celtic four points ahead of Derek McInnes' side in the table.
Walker, who played for both clubs, thinks it will be between these teams to determine who takes the title.
The Sky Sports pundit has discounted Rangers' chances of being involved following the derby at Hampden and believes they are still some way from contending after their promotion last season.
Walker told Sky Sports Now: "It's always important to underline your superiority in Glasgow and I thought Celtic were comfortable winners.
"It was a 1-0 scoreline but it's as comfortable a 1-0 as you're likely to get. Matt Gilks kept Rangers in it with a number of saves.
"After covering the first game between them at Celtic Park, where Celtic won 5-1, they could have scored three, four or five yesterday.
"To the fans, it's a hard sell to be very realistic and say: 'This squad is not strong enough to compete for the title. We'll do well to challenge Aberdeen and Hearts to get into a European spot'.
"That's hard, especially given they have the second-highest budget in Scottish football. Aberdeen have done really well over the last couple of years on a fraction of the budget Celtic have.
"They've pushed them in the title race to March or April and it's still undecided. Right now, I think Rangers will do well to finish third.
"We have a great game on Saturday between Aberdeen and Celtic and that will be terrific. Aberdeen beat Rangers there 2-1 recently and their games against Celtic have been terrific."
