Rangers: John Barnes moots Celtic ‘advantage’ as Premier League title comparison made
John Barnes likened the battle for the title in the Scottish Premiership to the fight in the Premier League but thinks Celtic will triumph over Rangers.
The Hoops have opened up a four-point gap at the top of the table following the Gers’ shock 3-2 defeat to Ross County on Sunday (14 April), though the Gers have a game in hand against Dundee (17 April).
Philippe Clement has done an incredible job at Ibrox since arriving in October and is hoping to lead Rangers to their second league title in the last decade.
Speaking to the Daily Record, quoted by Glasgow World on Wednesday (17 April), former Celtic manager Barnes believes the Bhoys will come out on top, though, saying: “At the moment, Celtic have the advantage and I don’t expect them to slip up.
“If you look at Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City, the team that was on top has changed week to week. It’s a similar situation in Scotland and if Rangers had beaten Motherwell a few weeks ago, then you’d have to say that they would be strong favourites.
“You really expect Celtic and Rangers to win most of their matches and now Celtic are in the driving seat but Rangers have been in it before. Whoever has the advantage holds the keys to the title. So it’s advantage Celtic.”
Do Celtic hold an advantage over Rangers in the Scottish Premiership title race?
After recent results, Celtic will feel that the pendulum has swung back in their favour, away from Rangers in the Scottish Premiership.
The Gers’ 3-2 loss at the Global Energy Stadium has seen the Hoops take a four-point lead at the top of the table. Even with their game in hand, a clash with Dundee at Dens Park, Rangers would still be a point behind if they manage to get the victory.
However, much like the Premier League, as Barnes suggested, the league leader has changed from week to week and there is still plenty of time for Rangers to amend their errors from the last game.
Performances in the Old Firm derbies will come as one of the biggest worries at Ibrox, and Clement will need to rectify the two losses and one draw against Celtic from this season.
Beating the Hoops at Celtic Park will be the key to the Gers lifting the Scottish Premiership title, a feat that Clement’s side have not been able to achieve yet.
In other Rangers news, a pundit has issued a claim on a player’s salary with a first-team Ibrox exit possible this summer.
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