Sky Sports pundit James McFadden has named Rangers’ consistency as the one thing that will let them down as they look to challenge Celtic for the Scottish Premiership title this season.
The Gers currently top the table after Sunday’s 2-1 win over Hearts but the Hoops, who are just one point behind, have a game in hand after their Scottish League Cup title win on the same day.
With the Glasgow rivals battling it out at the top – with a derby day to come at the end of 2018 – McFadden says that Rangers could push their rivals all the way but that their issues with consistency, having lost and drawn games they were expected to win, will let them down.
He told Sky Sports News (03/12, 11:20): “The progression’s been excellent, Steven Gerrard’s done a fantastic job at the start. There were maybe mistakes that he’s made but he’s young and he’s learned from them so that’s what I like.
“I think he’s got a level of performance and standard to the club that’s there for all to see. He’s winning games and doing well and potentially they could maybe challenge Celtic but I think they’re going to fall a bit short because of the fact that they need to bring that consistency level.
“They’ll need to strengthen in January as well but it’s a big month for both sides.”
Opinion
Rangers fans might not want to agree with McFadden’s verdict on the title race but it is hard to argue against him. Rangers have been brilliant at times this season but they have not shown that they can perform at that high level week in, week out. The difference with Celtic is that they also do not perform at their best all the time but still manage to grind out the results they need to push forward. If the Gers could get that winning approach behind them and force three points even when they hardly deserve it then they might be considered title challengers. Until then they are going to remain as part of the chasing pack. The real judgement day comes at the very end of the year when the two sides meet and that will be a match which could determine exactly how the hunt for glory goes in the new year. A Rangers win would still be a surprise, but there is no telling how things are going to go in the closest battle for years.