Andy Halliday predicts Rangers ‘blip’ and delivers title verdict
Former Rangers full-back Andy Halliday is backing his former side to win the Scottish Premiership, but expects them to experience a “blip” in form”.
Rangers remain unbeaten in the league and Europa League so far, with 12 wins from their opening 14 fixtures.
The Gers currently lead Celtic by nine points, although the Hoops have two games in hand, and Halliday expects to see them endure a poor run of form at some point.
“Listen, I said it at the start of the season, I think Rangers will win the league“, he told Open Goal.
“I don’t think they will be as good as they are now for the full season though. There is going to be a period in the season where Rangers will have this blip. The issue is when you have these blips they kind of last for five, six games like it did last year.
“So Celtic, for me, I felt it as if they have turned their corner against Aberdeen because it just felt different, the way they played, it was more convincing.
“Obviously, Sparta Prague happened and then this Motherwell game. If they win against Hibs next week and they can build on that then it is going to be close again.“
Rangers have been outstanding so far this season, with just three goals conceded in the league so far.
They were disappointed to draw 3-3 with Benfica after going 3-1 up, but such a result away to a side like Benfica shows just how far they have come under Steven Gerrard in recent years.
Their eight-goal demolition of Hamilton Academical last Sunday was a timely reminder of their attacking potency and the belief is clearly growing among the players. Currently, the Gers have the best attack and defence in the division, while they have won every league game since late September (via WhoScored).
However, as Halliday explains, there is likely to be a difficult spell during the season and they will be judged on how they manage that. The solidity of the Rangers defence is a great starting point, while the strength in depth they have developed should stand them in good stead.
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