Kris Boyd makes major Rangers title claim ahead of hectic festive fixture schedule

The Gers are currently 16 points clear at the top of the table, but have played three games more than Old Firm rivals Celtic.

Steven Gerrard’s side begin a hectic run of games with a clash against St. Johnstone on Wednesday evening, before facing Hibernian on Boxing Day and St. Mirren on December 30th.

The Light Blues then come up against Celtic in a highly-anticipated derby on January 2nd.

When asked how important the coming weeks are in terms of determining Rangers’ title credentials during an appearance on Sky Sports News’ Football Show, the former Ibrox himan said: “I think we’ll know everything.

"The next three fixtures that are coming up – St. Johnstone, Hibs on Boxing Day, and a trip to St. Mirren who knocked them out of the cup last week as well, ahead of that Old Firm game – we’ll know everything.

"If they come through this period they’ve got a difficult January as well, but if they come through this period with the tricky fixtures they’ve got, I fully expect Rangers to go on and clinch the league title.

"With the points difference they’ve got at this moment in time, if they can take nine points out of nine going into that Old Firm game, it will be crucial.

"Celtic have the three games – Ross County, Hamilton, and Dundee United. You would fully expect them to pick up nine points going into it as well, and it will all come down to that Old Firm derby on January 2nd.

"I’m sure everybody will be looking forward to it. For Rangers, if they can keep going – tonight if they win it’s 11 league games won consecutively. It would be a great achievement for the football club.

"They just need to keep going.”

Rangers suffered their first defeat in any competition this season when they were knocked out of the Scottish League Cup by St. Mirren last week.

The Gers bounced back from that result with a 3-1 win over Motherwell at the weekend.