Pundit delivers damning SPFL title race verdict on Rangers and Celtic
Peter Grant believes Rangers are already out of the Scottish Premiership title race – blaming the Gers’ inability to deal with injuries as the reason.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side already sit nine points behind the Hoops as both teams head into the World Cup winter break, with pressure mounting on the Dutchman’s position at Ibrox.
Injuries have plagued Rangers throughout their dire season thus far, with John Souttar only starting one league match, while Connor Goldson and Filip Helander also remain missing at the back.
Former Celtic man Grant gave a damning assessment of Van Bronckhorst’s side when speaking on Go Radio on Thursday 17 November.
When asked if the title race was already over, he replied: “Yes.
“I just think that Celtic have got the players in the squad. I said it at the start of the season and that’s what I go on.
“If Celtic get injuries, they can deal with it. Rangers have proven that when they have injuries, they can’t deal with it and that’s the difference.”
Troubling times
It would need something truly remarkable from Rangers to overturn the nine-point deficit they currently find themselves in.
Celtic have been relentless under Ange Postecoglou this season and could quite easily have been further ahead if Rangers had not come from behind against St Mirren to nick a point just before the World Cup break.
Although Grant is all but right in saying the title race is over, it’s not over till it’s over, and the Gers will give everything to reduce the gap and put the pressure back on Celtic as the season draws to a close.
Any hope, though, will surely depend on the future of the much-maligned Van Bronckhorst, and if the Rangers board decide to part ways with the manager.
If the board are to make a decision, do it now, and give any successor the six-week World Cup break as a chance to get to grip with his new squad.
In other news, ‘I took it so bad’ – Ex-Rangers player says Ibrox exit took ‘Big Toll’ on him.