Kris Boyd shares Rangers title verdict after Brendan Rodgers appointment at Celtic live on Sky Sports
Kris Boyd believes that although Rangers have closed the gap to Celtic since Michael Beale’s arrival at Ibrox, the Hoops will make three of four statement signings to crown the return of Brendan Rodgers as manager this summer.
After taking the reins from Giovanni van Bronckhorst mid-way through the season, Beale had to endure a domestic treble from Rangers’ Old Firm rivals while also finishing seven points off Celtic in the Scottish Premiership.
Speaking live on Sky Sports after the release of the upcoming season’s fixtures, Boyd admitted that although the Gers will be boosted by attacking additions to replace the underperforming Alfredo Morelos, Celtic are likely to back Rodgers heavily in the transfer market.
He said: “Michael Beale all but said we’re getting closer to Ange Postecoglou’s team, obviously, they beat them in the last game, albeit there was nothing there.
“But there were games beforehand where you thought Rangers were getting closer without ever really playing with a recognised striker because Alfredo Morelos played, but he was way off it.
“I’m sure Michael Beale would have been looking at it and saying, ‘one or two additions and we can maybe push Celtic closer’, but as we said earlier, Brendan Rodgers isn’t coming up here if Celtic don’t have money to spend, they will spend money, and you wouldn’t be surprised if there are three or four big signings coming in over the next few weeks.”
Closing in
Although Rangers were way off the mark last season, their business so far this summer bodes well for the upcoming Scottish Premiership campaign.
Beale looks to have already dealt with the departures of Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent with the acquisitions of Sam Lammers and Abdallah Sima – although another attacker will ideally be eyed – while the additions of Jack Butland, Dujon Sterling and Kieran Dowell at yet more depth to his squad.
Considering that Ange Postecoglou has left the Hoops, Aaron Mooy has just announced his retirement from football, and Jota could be packing his bags for a lucrative Saudi payday, the two clubs look like they are neck and neck right now.
Of course, the Hoops are likely to offer Rodgers a strong transfer budget upon his arrival at the club as manager, and we are yet to see the calibre of players that they will target, but things look promising from a Gers perspective.
In other Rangers news, one exit-linked first-team ace has revealed his plans for the transfer window after crying on his way into the club.