Just as soon as people started talking up a serious challenge to the Old Firm in the SPL this season, events conspired to put a stop to such rash chat.
Firstly, Dundee Utd lost their manager, with Craig Levein deciding that he rather fancied a tilt at the Scotland job after all. It's hard to see how this won't derail the Arabs' strong start to the season - Levein was not just first team coach, but influential at all levels of the club.
And now Hibs have been thoroughly beaten by Rangers, to put a little perspective on the Edinburgh club's true quality. Too open and too mistake-prone, they were undone by a team who - European failings apart - know how to get a result in Scotland.
What does all this tell us? Well, Rangers still have their problems, but these will be lessened if Celtic can't keep them from top spot this season, and they get back into the Champions League group stages next autumn. Both outcomes would bring much-needed additional money into the club, helping to appease the bank, and lessen the pressure to spend money they don't have on new players.
Hibs still look to be the strongest of the chasing pack, despite ending their unbeaten run. What they need is consistency - a third place finish this term, with positive signs of development, would give the club a better platform to try and push on again next season.
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