SNOWBALL EFFECT McCall: Winter wipeout has turned up the heat on Celts in the title race

STUART McCALL spent last week on his sun lounger but believes the heat is now on back home too in terms of the title race.

The former Rangers hero reckons his old club’s hot streak combined with the big freeze has turned it into a thriller at the top.

The Beast from the East cost Celtic the chance to go nine points clear against Dundee last night.

Unless the Hoops can get the game back on next week and win, Rangers could cut the gap to three at Ibrox in 10 days’ time.

McCall was already hooked to the results in Gran Canaria and reckons no one will be able to take their eyes off the run-in if Graeme Murty’s men can maintain the charge.

He said: “Big Terry Butcher said on TV the other night there is no title race. But if Rangers were to beat Celtic – and it’s a big if – then it could be down to three points.

“It’s there. It’s good for everyone in Scottish football to have a title race. We’d all like to talk about some kind of challenge.

“I was away on holiday at the weekend and you are looking at one result on the Saturday then desperate to see how the other team get on the next day. When you chuck in Aberdeen, Hearts and Hibs there are some good tussles going on.

“Celtic on Sunday at Aberdeen did what they tend to do – they come through the tough games when they need to.

“But it’ll be interesting. They might not have been in this position before. It could be down to three then there is all the stuff with the split and where they are going to play.”

McCall says it’s “game on” if Gers cut Celts’ lead to three and is convinced his old side – who first face Falkirk in Sunday’s Scottish Cup quarter-final – are in good shape with five wins in a row.

He said: “I’m not saying it’s going to happen but they’ve put themselves in a position where they will be going into an Old Firm game for the first time in a long time with a bit of belief and confidence. The recruitment in January was spot on.”

● McCall was speaking at a William Hill media event. William Hill is the proud sponsor of the Scottish Cup.

I’m learning from Sean as well and I think we work well off each other

GREG DOCHERTY