SPL: Can Inverness CT and co maintain Celtic pursuit?

Will Celtic be celebrating retaining the SPL title come May?

Rangers' disappearance from the SPL was supposed to spell disaster for Scottish football, but instead the SPL is more competitive than ever before...

When the ailing SPL lost one half of its greatest attraction in Rangers, many thought it would be the final nail in the coffin with regards to the appeal of Scotland's top division.

After all, how could the likes of Motherwell, Inverness CT and Hibernian be expected to offer any semblance of competition to the mighty Celtic?

Fast forward four months and the reality, at least for the moment, is a more competitive division than has been witnessed since Celtic finished fourth in 1994/95 (and even then Rangers were dominant champions).

Celtic are top, but only on goal difference from Inverness, with just two points separating the top half right down to St Johnstone in sixth place.

However, Celtic's place in the SPL winner market remains unshakeable at 1.081/12 with Hearts, currently seven points off the pace down in ninth place rated next best at 21.020/1.

So is there any value there in laying the Scottish champions at 1.091/11 or is the fact that they have remained just about in control while struggling a more ominous sign than ever for the perpetual also-rans?

By Celtic standards, Neil Lennon's men have had a poor start on the domestic frontier, already drawing four matches - one more than they did all of last season - while losing three times, compared to only five defeats in their 2011/12 title-winning campaign.  

One obvious factor contributing to their domestic stumblings is Celtic's success in the group stage of the Champions League.

By putting themselves in the frame for the last 16 for the first time since qualifying in 2007/08, the Bhoys have undoubtedly had their attentions turned from matters SPL.

Nevertheless, history shows that sustained involvement in Europe has not nudged them off course in the past, as in 2007/08 and 2006/07 - the last two times that they qualified for the knockout rounds - green and white ribbons were tied around the SPL trophy.

Perhaps a bigger issue is actually down to Rangers' absence. Without their cross-city nemesis to keep them on their toes, a complacency and lack of drive may have crept into the champions' game.

Before, the Hoops would always have the pressure of matching the Gers' results, especially if they were playing after their rivals, as any noticeable points gap could have damaging psychological implications.

It would be wrong to take anything away from the other sides though, as having one giant to slay instead of two seems to have spurred them on.

There's a long way to go, but in the most unusual of SPL seasons, a cheeky lay on Celtic may prove to be a stroke of genius, especially if they go on to achieve progress to the latter stages of the Champions League.

Backing Hearts at 6.611/2 to overcome 1.654/6-rated Celtic at Tynecastle tonight may hold more immediate value however.