Graeme Souness delivers ‘Pressure’ verdict amid Rangers and Celtic title race
Graeme Souness has suggested that the roles in the Scottish Premiership have reversed, with Celtic now under pressure to chase Rangers for the league title.
The Gers’ 3-0 victory over St Johnstone saw Celtic knocked off the top spot, with the Hoops only managing a draw at home to Kilmarnock.
Philippe Clement has been chasing first place since arriving at Ibrox in October, managing to win 15 out of his 17 league matches in charge, and has now managed to grasp it.
Speaking live via talkSPORT on Monday (19 February, 11:07am), Souness said: “Rangers and Celtic never play easy games. Every game is a cup final for them.
“When you’re the top team [in the Scottish Premiership], you’re not getting any criticism and sailing off into the sunset. But if you’re the team in second, the focus is on you about how everything is wrong at the football club.
“There may be times that the top team is not playing as well but it still doesn’t matter because if you’re second in Scotland, you get all the criticism.
“It’s all about how that is dealt with by the players – can they deal with that pressure? Right now, the Celtic players are getting a lot of abuse. For the last few years, that’s been Rangers.”
Can Rangers pip Celtic to the Scottish Premiership title?
The change in momentum between the Old Firm rivals is a testament to the incredible job Clement has managed since he arrived at Ibrox, changing the mindset at the club.
The Belgian has won 22 of his 26 matches in charge in all competitions, giving real hope to the Ibrox ultras that Celtic can be toppled, and Europe can be conquered.
Under Michael Beale, all hope of Rangers competing for the league title looked lost, and their rivals were running away with it. However, as Souness suggests, the roles have reversed.
Rangers are now in the driver’s seat and the league title is theirs to lose. The decisive match is set to come when the two sides meet in April, with Celtic winning the reverse leg at Celtic Park in December.
The Hoops have clinched the Premiership title nine times in the last 10 seasons, but that could all be about to change, with this campaign just the beginning.
In other Rangers news, a former Liverpool and Everton midfielder has revealed an offer to secure a permanent move to Ibrox.
For more Rangers news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.