Alan Rough: Celtic and Rangers both vulnerable domestically
Alan Rough believes Rangers and Celtic are vulnerable for the first time in the 2022/23 season after both clubs suffered injuries to key players.
Connor Goldson and Ryan Jack were forced off for Rangers in their Champions League defeat against Liverpool whilst Celtic are currently without Callum McGregor and Jota.
Rough has suggested that other teams in the Scottish Premiership will fancy their chances slightly more than they would’ve earlier in the campaign.
Talking on PLZ Soccer (14:16, 13 October) Rough said: “A lot of hard games to come but the home games Rangers have taken in their stride domestically. The away games without Goldson will be crucial.
“The fortunate thing for Rangers is that Callum McGregor and Jota are both out for Celtic as well. It’s certainly not a level playing field but other teams will see it as an opportunity to get them.
“The Old Firm are a wee bit vulnerable and not hitting the heights they were earlier in the season.”
Not wrong
Rough isn’t wrong in his assessment of Rangers in particular. Losing Goldson is a massive blow for Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side, with the Dutchman now facing an injury crisis in the centre of defence. Furthermore, it’s going to be intriguing to see how Rangers react to their 7-1 drubbing at the hands of Jurgen Klopp’s men.
The Light Blues simply have to bounce back with a buoyant performance against Motherwell in order to ease the pressure that is beginning to mount on the man in charge. A hiccup domestically could well be the final nail in the coffin for van Bronckhorst, with a 100 per cent record potentially needed to keep pace with Celtic until the Old Firm clash again on 2 January.
The one positive for Rangers is that Celtic are going through a similar tough run of form and are far from invincible this season. They’ve dropped points against the lesser sides and without two of their better players, there’s always a chance that could happen again.
In other Rangers news, an official partner of the club has called for van Bronckhorst and Ross Wilson to be sacked.