Alan Rough makes Rangers-Celtic squad comparison
Alan Rough has suggested that the squad depth of both Rangers and Celtic could make a big difference in the title race this season.
While speaking on PLZ Soccer Football Show, the former Scotland goalkeeper has suggested that while Celtic can chop and change with their squad, Rangers keep playing their best XI almost on a regular basis.
The Gers won the Scottish Premiership title on a canter last season, but this time the title race promises to go all the way to the wire.
“That’s always a big part in these game,” said Rough while commenting on Rangers’ bench strength to PLZ Soccer.
“Sometimes when things aren’t gone particularly well, you need somebody to look over at the bench and say he can turn this game.
“I think the difference between the two teams just now is Van Bronckhorst is playing his best team from the start, Celtic are still chopping and changing.
“He’s taking a gamble, throwing people in there knowing that it might not go right but I’ve got guys on the bench. That’s the opposite between the two of them.”
Issue
It’s an issue that has been raised by pundits before.
The Gers do have a big squad but many have questioned whether they are using it properly. In the 1-0 win against Dundee, we saw Kemar Roofe coming off the bench to make a big impact.
However, Giovanni van Bronckhorst doesn’t like to make too many changes to the starting line-up.
While the Bears focus both on domestic and European competitions side by side, at some point Van Bronckhorst will have to rotate his squad to keep the players fresh.
At the same time, players like Aaron Ramsey, who has hardly played this season can make a big difference, and he can play in almost every game from here on.
Van Bronckhorst need at least one or two more transfer windows to sculpt the squad to his own taste. He probably feels that the core group of players can win him matches on a regular basis.
The Gers are three points behind Celtic after 31 games.
In other Rangers news, one player has tested positive for COVID-19 and is now a doubt for the Old Firm clash against Celtic.