Sky Sports pundit delivers ‘reality’ warning to Rangers about Celtic and Brendan Rodgers
Kris Boyd warned Rangers they can ill-afford to give “well-oiled machine” Celtic and “winner Brendan Rodgers” any sniff in the Scottish Premiership title race this season.
Boss Michael Beale has been extremely active in the transfer window, with no fewer than eight signings made and Jose Cifuentes expected to join from LAFC.
Rangers great Boyd knows patience is required but is unsure it will be granted, and knows there can be little room for error against their fierce Old Firm rivals.
“Patience is key. It’s easy to say that but the reality is you don’t get it,” Boyd told the Daily Record (2 August, page 36).
“And if we’re honest, Postecoglou at the start of his time at Celtic was probably one more defeat away from everybody turning on him. That’s how close it was. But for whatever reason Rangers allowed his side to get back into that title race two years ago and Celtic kicked on from there.
“Do I think Rangers can afford to do the same this year? No, because this Celtic team is a well-oiled machine. They will change the way they play slightly but Brendan Rodgers is a winner and he’ll want to win and win in style.
“He will demand his players train to their best every single day to allow them to put in top performances.”
Excitement is in the air
Boyd is absolutely spot on with what he is saying here, there is absolutely no margin for error against this excellent Celtic squad, who have softened the blow of losing Postecoglou by bringing back Rodgers.
Beale accrued 92 points in the league last season and it still was seven points shy of the Bhoys, so the size of the task in hand will not be lost on anyone at Ibrox.
Which is why there has been such an extensive recruitment drive this summer, with Beale trying to inject a fresh impetus into his squad to try and reel in their rivals.
New signings need time to gel and become accustomed to playing with one another, but Beale will need his squad to be winning as they adjust.
One thing is for sure, with the new season kicking off against Kilmarnock on Saturday (August 5), there is a huge excitement in the air ahead of what promises to be an enthralling campaign.
In other Rangers news, Rangers officials headed out to the airport as Jose Cifuentes jets in to complete seven-figure transfer.