Chris Sutton makes Rangers SPFL title admission as Celtic hold lead
Chris Sutton has issued a verdict on the SPFL title race as Celtic hold a lead over rivals Rangers having recently won the Old Firm derby.
The former Hoops striker believes that it’s not a foregone conclusion and that they need to strengthen in January to ensure they retain the league title.
While Philippe Clement’s side are playing catch up, they have two games in hand over their cross-town rivals.
He wrote in his Daily Record column: “Celtic need to be better prepared for Europe next term. Frankly, this season’s build-up to the Champions League was a shambles. There needs to be a degree of gamble on outlay to make sure the title is won because this race is firmly on and I don’t feel Rangers will go away.
“They might have a dip, but they won’t disappear, so Rodgers needs to bolster the unit. It doesn’t feel simple, but Celtic have been dominant for a decade and they need to be convincing players they are headed for the Champions League group stages next season.”
Don’t lose hope
Despite losing the Old Firm derby, Rangers are still within touching distance of Celtic given their games in hand.
Of course, they would rather have the points on board rather than games in hand, but it is what it is and that’s what Clement will be telling his Rangers players.
This winter break offers everyone the chance to reset and for the Belgian to get the message across about what needs to be done to usurp their rivals in the title race.
Fabio Silva has joined on a loan move until the end of the season and it remains to be seen whether or not he is the first choice striker going forward.
There are talks of another striker being linked and wanted but a new left-back seems to be the need of the hour over the next few days.
Clement will not want to get involved in the finer details of transfers but he’ll surely be pushing the board to make things happen sooner rather than later.
In other Rangers news, a £4.8million bid update has emerged as development occurs in Ger’s quest to seal a January signing.