Former Celtic defender Jackie McNamara has told that his old side will leave Rangers behind unless the Ibrox club starts spending big.
The two fierce Glasgow rivals finished 39 points apart in the most recent campaign with the Gers placing in third, while Brendan Rodgers led his team to an unbeaten season and the Premiership title.
The campaign marked the first season Rangers had played in the Scottish top-flight since their demotion in 2012 and despite adding 11 senior players last summer many fell below the required standards.
Now, McNamara has told that in order to close the gap with Celtic then they are going to have to spend big and purchase a higher quality of player.
“Their best player has been Kenny Miller and he’s 37-year-old,” started McNamara speaking about Rangers to the Daily Star.
“Rangers have got big problems. It’ll be hard for them to get close to Celtic next year without massive investment.
“Unless there’s massive changes financially they’re going to get left behind.
“Celtic are only going to get stronger.
“He’s certainly been very confident so far.
“But as a Rangers manager he’ll be judged on finishing first.
“Whether that’s fair or not fair, it’s just the reality of being Rangers manager.
“You need to win the league. Second is no good and third is even worse. Next year will be a massive test for him.
“To get anywhere close to Celtic they need to spend big.”
Rangers’ biggest transfer fee spent last summer was the £1.5million handed to Preston to acquire the services of forward Joe Garner.
However, the powerful front man has struggled to make an impact in his debut season at the club with just 10 goals scored in 34 matches in all competitions for the Gers.
It was also reported by the Express earlier on Wednesday that English second tier club Ipswich were planning a £500,000 offer to sign the 29-year-old.
Meanwhile, rivals Celtic brought in six senior players last summer with Scott Sinclair costing the most at £3.5million from Aston Villa and he has since been named the PFA Scotland Player of the Year after bagging 25 and providing 11 in 49 outings in all competitions.