Ally McCoist: Rangers can close Scottish Premiership gap to Celtic
Ally McCoist believes that Rangers can overturn the gap to Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership despite suffering a 4-0 defeat to Celtic.
Three first-half goals from Ange Postecoglou’s side blew the Light Blues away as Rangers missed the chance to reclaim top spot in the Old Firm.
After the Gers’ 2-2 draw against Hibernian last month too, the gap to their fierce rival is now five points with only six matches of the season played.
Despite the defeat, McCoist believes that Rangers can still mount a title challenge in the 2022/23 season.
Talking on talkSPORT Breakfast on Monday 5 September [06:45], McCoist said: “I was devastated at the weekend.
“But yes, we can make the gap up, the season’s only just started. However, it doesn’t soften the blow that my team were very poor at the weekend.
“Celtic were very good and we just didn’t turn up to be honest.
“It’s a sore one.”
Optimistic
McCoist is right in his assessment of the season still being in its early stages, but after the match at Parkhead on Saturday afternoon, it’s clear to see the current gap between the two sides.
Five points, on paper, isn’t a big gap but at this moment in time, it’s hard to see when and where Celtic will drop points over the course of the season.
Rangers face third-place Aberdeen next weekend and defeat at Pittodrie will see The Dons leapfrog the Gers in the league standings.
Considering the form of Celtic, it’s so important that Giovanni van Bronckhorst ensures his side bounces back with a positive result on Saturday (10 September).
Another defeat in quick succession could see their title hopes dissipate within the first couple of months of the season.
This is clearly van Bronckhorst’s toughest moment as Rangers manager and it will be intriguing to see how he responds to get the best out of his players in the coming weeks.
The Champions League getting underway this week could be a good distraction, with the Gers making the trip to Amsterdam to face Dutch giants Ajax.
In other Rangers news, ex-SFA officials have reacted on Twitter to a controversial incident at Ibrox.