Rangers and Celtic are the most fierce rivals in the world of football.

Keith Jackson makes new Rangers prediction ahead of Scottish Premiership season

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior football journalist specialising in refereeing and officiating; former contributor to The Football League Paper, Late Tackle, and the Premier League; University of Derby graduate. FOCUS Refereeing controversies, football finance and governance, PGMOL decisions, and officiating analysis across the Premier League, EFL, and SPFL. THE INSIGHT Harri utilises a network of officiating and industry contacts to deliver verified, expert analysis of refereeing decisions and PGMOL policy. He provides the regulatory clarity behind the controversy to ensure fans get the full picture.

Published on:

29 Jul 2024, 5:40 am

Keith Jackson believes it will be a "disaster" if Rangers do not finish second in the Scottish Premiership as he backs Celtic to win the league.

The Gers were pipped to the league title by their Old Firm rivals Celtic last season, experiencing a major decline in form towards the end of the season, allowing Brendan Rodgers' men to sneak up the table.

While Philippe Clement was able to lift silverware in his first season at Ibrox, winning the League Cup, fans were left disappointed with the performances against the Hoops throughout the campaign.

Speaking to the Daily Record on Monday (29 July), Jackson said: "Celtic look like romping it this season. If Rangers don’t come second then it’ll constitute a disaster."

Can Rangers defeat Celtic to claim the Scottish Premiership title?

It has already been suggested that Clement's job could be at risk if he is unable to defeat Celtic at some point during the season, with the league title on the line.

The Gers have won just a single league trophy in the last decade, with their bitter rivals winning 12 of the last 13 campaigns, only losing out to the Light Blues in the 2020/21 season.

While Clement's side were still competing for two more trophies towards the end of last season - Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup - fans were ultimately left disappointed.

The Belgian now has a very difficult task of proving himself at Ibrox amid a massive overhaul of the current squad, with the summer transfer window continuing behind the scenes.

Philippe Clement has a difficult season ahead of him

If Rangers are to pip Celtic to the league title next season, they must do something a Gers side has only done once in the last 15 meetings between the two rivals - beat them.

It will be an extremely difficult season ahead for the Light Blues, especially given the circumstances surrounding the redevelopment issues at Ibrox, and Celtic only continue to win in pre-season.

In other Rangers news, Philippe Clement explains Dujon Sterling and Kieran Dowell's absences v Union Berlin.

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Keith Jackson