Former Celtic boss Neil Lennon has named six Rangers players who he believes have helped Steven Gerrard’s side close the gap to his old side.
The Light Blues finished 12 points behind their Old Firm rivals last season as Brendan Rodgers secured his second successive domestic treble with the Hoops, and will go head-to-head with the Bhoys this coming weekend in the first derby clash of the season.
Speaking ahead of the showdown at Celtic Park, Lennon insisted that Rodgers’ side would be favourites on Sunday but that there were six Rangers players who had shown enough to suggest that the gap had closed between the two sides.
He told Sky Sports’ The Debate: “Steven (Gerrard) has made significant strides already in the short space he’s been there.
“(Celtic) still have quality right through the team. What Steven’s done is built a really good spine of the team.
“(Allan) McGregor – experience. (Connor) Goldson and (Nikola) Katic have come in at centre half, Scott Arfield’s come in, Ryan Jack is having a good start to the season and he’s bought in Kyle Lafferty who knows this fixture very, very well. (Also Alfredo) Morelos, he’s a goal scorer.
“Celtic at home, you would have to say they would be strong favourites, but certainly the gap in terms of players and quality of players on the pitch is definitely closing.”
Former Celtic player and manager Neil Lennon admits Rangers are closing the gap ahead of Sunday's first Old Firm clash of the season, live on Sky Sports.
More: https://t.co/9EddmvEeeZ pic.twitter.com/ZDqjaHNwRU
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) August 29, 2018
Opinion
Considering his affinity for Celtic, Lennon is speaking very highly about the job that Steven Gerrard has done at Ibrox in what is his first foray into the managerial world. The derby clash at Parkhead will be the first real test for both Rangers and Celtic this season, for beating the other is all the two clubs want to achieve this season. Yes, the Hoops would like to improve on the European stage but if they can stop the Light Blues from picking up any silverware this summer by winning it themselves, or even competing for the league title, that would be a success. As for the Gers, they need to show that the gap has indeed closed after years of dominance from their rivals, and as Lennon says, they might finally have the players to prove they have what it takes. However, what matters right now is their respective Europa League ties – after that, all focus is on the derby.