The Rangers hero felt a crisis was always round the corner across the city but that point was eventually reached when they lost to John McGlynn's side, even though it was followed up by win over Besiktas and Kilmarnock.

Martin O'Neill's men remain four points clear at the top of the table, although Rangers have a game in hand.

Boyd says Celtic are making hard work of their games, even the ones they win, and Rangers look more convincing.

“Celtic have been a team where you’ve felt a crisis is always around the corner. You can’t knock the fact the are four points clear, though, yes, Rangers have a game in hand. It was like the crisis button was pressed after Falkirk," he said.

“But they found a way to win against Besiktas and again at the weekend. I don’t think it was a great performance but it was three points and that’s all that mattered for Celtic right now. Martin will be delighted to get that one over the line and keep the wolves away from the door for now.

“Every fixture is difficult but Celtic are making harder work of the games than they should be. Rangers are the team who struggled at the start but are now on an unbeaten run. Celtic usually blow teams away at home but that’s not really been the case this season.

“Martin is probably where Derek was at the start of the season, trying to find a team he feels is capable of winning games comfortably. Derek was chopping and changing, Martin is doing that now. Martin has a striker who is under-performing (Kasper Hogh) and the wide players are not up to a level we’re used to seeing at Celtic in recent years. Martin is searching for a balance and he’s dealing with European football. He’ll be delighted with this break. It gives them a chance to reset before a difficult run.”