Hartson claims catching Celtic will be ‘ridiculously difficult’ task for Rangers next season
John Hartson has claimed that Rangers will have a “ridiculously difficult” job on their hands if they are to beat Celtic to the Scottish Premiership title next term.
The Gers finished the 2019/20 campaign 13 points adrift of their bitter rivals after suffering a poor slump in form over the second half of the season.
And ex-Parkhead striker Hartson has predicted a substantial overhaul of Steven Gerrard’s playing staff in preparation for their attempt at preventing the Hoops from winning a 10th consecutive title.
Speaking on BBC Sportsound, he said: “Have I seen enough of Rangers to stop them [Celtic]? Well, nothing surprises me.
“But Steven Gerrard’s got an enormous job to stop the ten. Can Rangers do it? With investment, with good form – it looks a ridiculously difficult job to do, to stop Celtic winning the ten.
“But that’s why Gerrard’s there, that’s why they appointed him. They feel he is the man to do it.
“The last two years he’s not won a trophy. But that’s for the hierarchy to give him money to go and buy players, sell players. I’d imagine there will be a lot of movement in and out of Rangers.”
What will the transfer window look like for Rangers this summer?
If the early signs are anything to go by, Hartson is absolutely right – this could be a busy few months at Ibrox.
Already, the club have confirmed the upcoming exit of six first team players, including relatively big names like Andy Halliday and Wes Foderingham.
That announcement has been followed by claims from Romanian agent Giovani Becali that a deal has been wrapped up for Ianis Hagi, although we are still waiting for official confirmation on that from the club themselves.
There has also been a glut of transfer rumours too.
The Scottish Sun suggest that Lyndon Dykes and Lewis Ferguson are both priority targets, while the agent of FC Metz defender Mamadou Fofana has confirmed that the Gers are looking at his client ahead of a potential summer swoop.
As the weeks go by, you would expect plenty more links to emerge as well, and this is indeed gearing up to be a big summer for the Ibrox chiefs.
In other Rangers news, Ibrox Exclusive: Bruce urges Jordan Rossiter to ‘remain positive’ after Gers exit announced.