ALEX MCLEISH knows as well as anyone that league titles aren’t won at this stage of the season.

But the former Rangers boss is well aware of the significance of each result as the Old Firm go head-to-head in the Premiership.

The two top flight crowns that McLeish won came in the most dramatic of circumstances as victories over Dunfermline and Hibernian saw the Light Blues triumph on memorable, historic occasions at Ibrox and Easter Road.

Few would have believed the respective title races in 2003 and 2005 could go down to the final seconds of the season.

But with just four goals separating the Old Firm heading into a hectic run of December fixtures, the stage could be set for another thrilling finale this term.

Celtic increased their advantage with a convincing win over Livingston at the weekend before Rangers moved level on points with victory at Hamilton.

“I know Rangers didn’t play particularly well but it is a positive that they are winning games in those situations because last year they might have dropped points in matches like that,” McLeish said.

“It is making for a very tight title race. It reminds me of the two title wins I had in my days there when they went to the final day on both occasions. It looks like it could go right to the wire this season as well.

“I always remember when we drew the first game at Rugby Park and Celtic won and the Press on the Sunday were saying that the league was finished! It can only take one slip and the other team can win and you saw in those seasons what the margins were.

“We won the first one on goal difference and then Helicopter Sunday was a massive twist on the last day so it shows how important every game and every result is, even at this stage of the season.”

It was a case of better but not quite good enough for Rangers during Steven Gerrard’s first campaign.

But the 39-year-old has seen his side impress at home and abroad in recent months as fans dare to dream about a long-awaited Premiership title win.

Rangers have only dropped five points - against Celtic and Hearts - on league duty and McLeish reckons the derby clashes could be crucial come the final reckoning.

“The theory in those days was that it would depend on the games against each other, but the irony then was that we did lose the Old Firm at Ibrox and still went onto win the league,” he said.

“Celtic slipped up against Hibs and that was the kind of surprise that can happen.

“You can’t disrespect any team or player but the smart money was on Rangers and Celtic winning most of the games against the other teams during that particular era and it looks like that is the case these days.

“If you go back to last season when Rangers won the Old Firm in December, you would have thought that Rangers would go on from there. But the frustrating thing for Steven would have been that they then dropped too many points against the other teams and Celtic were able to ease away by winning their games.

“Rangers have given Accies the upmost respect but they still had enough to win the game and that is the most important thing at the end of the day. Being able to do that week after week is the sign of a team that is ready to challenge.”

The stakes for both title rivals could not be higher this term. While Celtic have their sights set on nine-in-a-row, Gerrard is looking to deliver a first crown since 2011 that would represent a significant marker in Rangers’ recovery.

December will end with the second Old Firm clash but there are plenty of hurdles to be overcome before the trip across the city.

McLeish said: “Any slip up is very soul destroying and every manager suffers after a defeat and tosses and turns at night. If you are a manager that doesn’t do that then you are delusional.

“You care so much about your team and your club and it is really is hard when you lose games. That is especially true at a club like Rangers when you know how much it means to people at the club and what the consequences could be for your team in a title race.

“You need a bit of perspective in certain situations but at Rangers there is a belief that you must win every game, that is the demand of the supporters every week.

“It has been a long time for Rangers, they were out the league for a few years while Celtic were romping it and credit to Aberdeen and Derek McInnes for keeping it alive at certain moments.

“But Rangers are now back strongly and Steven Gerrard and Gary McAllister are doing a fantastic job there and hopefully it is a successful season for them.”

Before the Old Firm do battle at Parkhead, they will meet at Hampden with Betfred Cup silverware on the line.

McLeish won the cup double in his first term as boss and knows how important a winner’s medal could be for Gerrard and his side.

He said: “That first one is the one that gives you the evidence that you can do and the belief that you can do it again. It is no longer a case of can we do it or will be do it.

“If Rangers can beat Celtic to the League Cup, that will give them a lot of confidence for the rest of the season. It will be a battle until the end but the cup is huge.

“The demand for this cup final is like nothing I have seen for 10, 15 years. I am really looking forward to seeing this game.”