Former Celtic striker John Hartson believes that Rangers do not have any chance of pipping the Hoops to the Scottish Premiership title next season despite the fact that Steven Gerrard is now in charge.
The Liverpool legend took command of matters at Ibrox following the departure of interim manager Graeme Murty.
And following his arrival at the Glaswegian giants, Gerrard has been busy making improvements to his side ahead of what promises to be an exciting campaign.
Despite signing Scott Arfield, Jamie Murphy, and Nikola Katic to name just a few, the former hitman believes it will make little difference in the outcome of the league and the Light Blues should just concentrate on finishing above Aberdeen.
As quoted in The Scottish Sun Hartson said: “There’s not a cat in hell’s chance Rangers will catch Celtic. They are a million miles away on and off the park. Celtic will step up to the challenge.
“Brendan will get them in and say ‘Look, last two years we’ve been up against a poor Rangers. Stevie will improve them, now is the acid test, we need to go again’.
“Rangers have signed six players and the proof will be in the pudding. But are the rest of their players going to step up? They have been so far behind.
OPINION:
Hartson was not backwards in coming forwards with his words and it would seem clear that he does not rate the Light Blues chances of catching their Old Firm rivals next season. However, the Hoops have been slow in the transfer market and are yet to make any move on that front whilst their local rivals have been delving in and out making improvements wherever possible. Despite the fact that Brendan Rodgers’ side finished well above the chasing pack last season, they were not the team they were the year before as Hearts proved they could be got at with a 4-0 demolition of the Hoops at Tynecastle Park back in December. It must not be forgotten that prior to the Gers’ home defeat against Celtic back in March, the gap had been closed on the leaders and had Graeme Murty’s side won that day, the outcome of the league might have looked very different. However, currently Celtic are not improving and Rangers are, in all areas, so Hartson may well be wide of the mark with his “cat in hell’s chance” estimation.