Sky Sports pundit Kris Commons has savaged Rangers’ performances and results in the middle of the season as he tips the Gers to give Celtic a wake up call in the final few fixtures.
The Light Blues had been within touching distance of their Glasgow rivals heading into Scotland’s winter break but a poor run of results, which also saw Steven Gerrard’s men tumble out of both domestic cups, has all but ruled them of the title race, with their results now simply delaying the Hoops winning the Premiership for the eighth consecutive season.
Commons was highly critical of Rangers’ mid-season collapse, but insisted a fine run now will give Celtic something to think about heading into the summer.
Speaking live on Sky Sports News (29/04, 11:20) he said: “They’ve been a mixed bag this season. It was a big, big ask for the job at hand but they managed to get into Europe, that was a big plus, they stayed with Celtic until the winter break… they were there, toe-to-toe with Celtic come the new year.
“Then you split it down to the middle part section. Disastrous. Out of both cups, 13 points behind at one stage of Celtic, and Celtic weren’t really playing to the top of their ability. Now, saying that, they still grinded it out as champions, as they do.
“For Rangers, it is about finishing the season strongly. If they can push Celtic all the way, which it looks like they will do, then that will give them the confidence for next season but it might be a little bit of a wake up call for Celtic and the backroom staff for investment for next year.”
Opinion
A mixed bag is somewhat underselling just how turbulent Rangers’ season has been. There have been some brilliant highs, not least the Old Firm win over Celtic back at the end of 2018, but there have also been some worrying lows, namely how they have missed out on a chance at silverware in the Scottish League Cup and Scottish Cup. There are definitely some big improvements needed at Ibrox if they are going to catch Celtic at the top but as Commons says, their performances towards the end of the season could demonstrate to the Hoops that they are not as far behind as they might have thought. Everyone not affiliated with the two Glasgow giants wants to see a battle at the top of the Scottish table next season and while that will take a lot of work on Rangers’ behalf, not to mention Celtic slipping in terms of quality, it is not out of the realms of reality just yet.