Alan Stubbs claims Celtic are ’12-15 points better than Rangers’
Celtic are still “12-15 points better” than Rangers despite Michael Beale’s heavy recruitment drive, according to former Bhoys player Alan Stubbs.
Gers boss Michael Beale has already added eight new faces to his squad ahead of the new Scottish Premiership season and could bring in more before the window slams shut.
However, Stubbs – who spent five years at Celtic Park between 1996 and 2001 – does not believe Rangers are ready to overhaul their Old Firm rivals, who saw Brendan Rodgers return as manager to replace the departing Ange Postecoglou.
“With Rangers, it’s been a total rebuild. I’ve been there. At the early stages, when I was at Celtic, we were doing that,” Stubbs told the Daily Record (30 July).
“Rangers were the dominant side who were just adding to their squad each season. It takes time to rebuild and Michael has a big job on his hands.
“There will be competition for places with so many new signings coming in. But the flip side is that players already there will feel like their noses are being put out of joint.
“It’s about striking that balance and it will be interesting to see how Michael does that. Because, personally, I feel as if Celtic are still a good 12-15 points better than Rangers right now.”
Make him eat his words
There are some fair comments made by Alan Stubbs here, not least the fact that rebuilds can take time to come off.
When you make that many signings, there is obviously going to be a period of transition as new faces take time to adjust to new surroundings and new team-mates.
But 12-15 points? Really? Rangers were only seven points off their fierce rivals last season as it is and have gone about making some shrewd acquisitions this off season.
Michael Beale should have these comments plastered on the changing rooms at Ibrox. Not that any further motivation should be needed to want to overhaul their Old Firm rivals, but if he wants to put a little extra fire in the belly this is one way to do so.
It promises to be an exciting battle for the title in Scotland this season and it seems a big stretch to say there will be such a chasm between the Glasgow giants comes the end of the campaign.
The message from Beale to his players should be: “Make him eat his words.”
In other Rangers news, the final hurdle to sign Jose Cifuentes has been overcome.