Rangers chaos breaks Sky Sports pundit’s heart with Celtic to win title even as two stars leave
Rangers are set for a “hugely painful” campaign where it is certain they will see Celtic win the title again, says Kris Boyd.
The Sky Sports pundit admitted in his Scottish Sun column on 2 August that it “breaks my heart” but he can see no way past the Hoops this term as there is “too much chaos” at Ibrox.
Even with the former Gers striker predicting the exits of star men Matt O’Riley and Reo Hatate from Parkhead he doesn’t expect that to weaken Brendan Rodgers’ side enough for Philippe Clement to steal in, as it will only boost their £82million bank balance which already has more Champions League money on the way.
On the contrary the Light Blues boss “doesn’t have the kind of money required to transform Rangers overnight” so the title race is predicted to already be over.
Philippe Clement unable to overhaul Rangers fast enough
On paper it is probably hard to argue with the grim assessment Boyd has offered unless Clement and Nils Koppen can do some decisive transfer business before the windows shuts.
The noises from the Belgian and chairman John Bennett of late have an air of acceptance that there may be a bumpy road ahead this season.
A surprise contract extension for the manager may be partly a concession from the club in light of the difficult transfer window and the Ibrox debacle that will send the Light Blues to Hampden Park for weeks, but indicates there is no choice but to look long term.
The hierarchy are not going to sack a third manager in a row even if the season starts badly [The Herald, 27 July] and the new deal helps ensure Clement isn’t minded to walk of his own accord.
But he will still need to show signs of progress even if there is a realism that suggests the league may be out of reach.
He has been tipped to be sacked when it comes to it anyway if Celtic win a fourth-straight title [Hugh Keevins, 2 August] so he surely at least needs to win an Old Firm derby or two.
However, the league was expected to be well out of reach when Clement arrived last season and he managed to get Rangers into position to claim it so he could spring another surprise, even if the fact that chance was ultimately squandered suggests that is unlikely at present.
In other Rangers news, two exit-linked Ibrox stars have been included in the Champions League qualifying squad by Clement, but one is out.
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