By Jonty Banks

6th Feb, 2023 | 8:10am

Keith Jackson stunned by Rangers and Celtic winning records since Michael Beale arrived as manager

Keith Jackson believes Michael Beale’s Rangers team and Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic side are reaching “mind-boggling” territory if they continue their ridiculous Scottish Premiership form next season.

Since taking the reins from Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Beale has masterminded a return of 10 wins from 11 matches, with the only blemish on his notebook a 2-2 draw with the Hoops.

Although Gers fans have witnessed a stunning run of form in the SPL, the Ibrox side still remains nine points behind league-leaders Celtic, who have won 23 of their 25 games this term.

Writing in his column for the Daily Record (Monday 6 February), journalist Jackson gushed over the potential points tally the two sides could reach next season.

He wrote: “In percentage terms, Beale is matching Ange Postecoglou’s numbers – and the big Aussie has banked 70 from a possible 75 this season – by winning 93.33 per cent of the top flight points available to him. Van Bronckhorst left town averaging 73.33 per cent.

“And yet, even though he’s choking on Postecoglou’s fumes for the time being, a fascinating picture is beginning to emerge of what the future might look like when the dust clears and these two are trading blows on a level canvas.

“Because, if these current points per game rates were to be extrapolated out over the course of an entire league campaign, then both would be in line to end the season with hauls of 106. And that’s utterly mind-boggling territory.”

Two horse race

Although the season is still yet to finish and Rangers are still not mathematically out of the SPL title race, Gers fans will already be casting their eyes forward to what could be a mouth-watering season next year.

Both Celtic and Rangers are taking the league by storm at the moment and seem to be pushing each to new heights. Since Beale arrived at Ibrox, neither side has tasted defeats and this could well continue for quite some time.

A brilliant marker post of where the two sides are at after the January transfer window will come in the Viaplay Cup Final at Hampton Park later this month (Sunday 26 February), where the two teams face off with silverware on the line.

This is a brilliant opportunity for Beale to secure his first trophy as Rangers manager and get a one-up on bitter rivals Celtic in the process.

If the Gers can strengthen once again in the summer transfer window, a nip-and-tuck title race could be on the cards next season.

In other Rangers news, another Light Blues player was slammed on BBC Sportsound for his sloppy error in the game.