OPINION
Rangers fans will already have been feeling pretty smug after the club followed their landmark win against Celtic with a blizzard of shrewd signings.
But they will be laughing themselves hoarse at ex-Hoops striker and lifelong fan Charlie Nicholas’ brutal verdict of new signing Oliver Burke.
Rangers’ bitter rivals responded to the four new arrivals at Ibrox – two of whom, Jermain Defoe and Steven Davis, join straight away – by landing West Brom’s Burke and PSG’s Timothy Weah on loan for the rest of the season.
Some have hailed this as shrewd business from the Scottish champions. Nicholas, it is fair to say, is less than convinced by Celtic’s transfer business.
“Where does Oli Burke fit in for the Hoops? He’s not smart enough to lead the line,” Nicholas sneered in his Daily Star column. “He’s energetic and fast but will he replace James Forrest or Scott Sinclair on the wing?
“Celtic’s recruitment in recent times has been baffling. Youssouf Mulumbu and Lewis Morgan were odd summer signings.
“The lack of defensive cover is shocking. What is the plan if Dedryck Boyata is lured away or the turmoil at Leicester ends with a new boss recalling Filip Benkovic?
“Only if Celtic find another two defensive signings would I feel confident of tipping the title balance back in their favour.”
Bears will love Nicholas’ put-down of Burke, the Scotland international who wore a Celtic jersey while playing in kickabouts as a kid.
The 21-year-old has transferred for huge fees to RB Leipzig and West Brom in recent summers, but has failed to live up to the potential of his breakthrough 2015-16 season at Nottingham Forest.
He’s no line-leader, lacking the movement and intelligence to spearhead the attack, but it’s hard to see him taking the regular starting roles of first-choice wide men Forrest and Sinclair.
That is music to the ears of Rangers fans as they look forward to their own club taking advantage of the proven quality of Defoe and Davis as they look to wrest the title from Celtic’s iron grip.
Naturally, the champions have plenty of times to address the weaknesses in their squad before the January window shuts.
But, at least, the Ibrox faithful can enjoy their club wheeling and dealing in a way that is earning the approval of a dyed-in-the-wool Bhoy like Nicholas.