Kris Boyd delivers title race verdict, refuses to rule out Rangers
Rangers fell four points behind rivals Celtic in the race for the title, but Kris Boyd is refusing to rule out his former side.
Rangers were dealt a huge blow to their title chances on Saturday, with Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side lucky to even rescue a point against Livingston after John Lundstram’s stoppage-time equaliser.
On the same day, Celtic came out on top in a blockbuster clash against Hearts, and their 4-3 victory sent them four points clear at the top of the table.
However, while Celtic are in the driving seat for the title, ex-Rangers striker Boyd insists his former team are still in the chase.
“It’s four points at this moment in time. If you go back, 15 minutes before the end of the Hearts vs Celtic game, there is an opportunity for Rangers to maybe go and win the game and go top,” Boyd told Sky Sports, as quoted by Glasgow Live.
“It’s thin lines at this moment in time.
“I wouldn’t be ruling Rangers out at this precise moment. Yes, Saturday was a disappointment, but four points can be turned around pretty quickly, that’s for sure.”
Never say never
After a rough few weeks for Rangers, many are counting them out of the title race. But as Boyd says, there’s still plenty to play for and lots of twists and turns still yet to come.
Yes, Rangers were very poor in Europe, but Celtic have been equally as bad and will have their confidence knocked too. When it comes to the Scottish Premiership, both teams have been typically dominant.
The disappointing Old Firm clash back in September will still be fresh in Rangers’ memories, but Van Bronckhorst has to find a way to use it to fuel his squad.
Gers now have a great opportunity to get revenge when Celtic travel to Ibrox on 2 January, and it could well be the catalyst for a major turnaround.
While in a rough patch of form, all Rangers need to do is keep within touching distance and make sure to keep piling the pressure on Celtic. With European duties now practically finished, all attention can turn towards the title race.
Sure, Rangers are viewed as underdogs at the moment, but that’s a label that usually spurs the team on to succeed.
In other Rangers news, Tam McManus comments on controversial VAR incident v Livingtson