Celtic once again demonstrated their dominance over Rangers on Sunday at Parkhead, delivering a performance that has become almost routine in recent years.
Yet, despite their repeated triumphs, not everyone seems ready to acknowledge the widening gulf between the two Glasgow giants.
For years now, whether under the guidance of Ange Postecoglou, who secured a historic Treble, or Brendan Rodgers in both his first and current tenure, Celtic have consistently overpowered their rivals.
The club’s overflowing trophy cabinet is a testament to their superiority, but former Rangers manager Graeme Souness appears unconvinced.
Souness suggested that the gap between Celtic and Rangers isn’t as significant as it seems, a view that has raised eyebrows among many observers.
Sunday’s match, which saw Celtic cruise to a 3-0 victory without breaking a sweat, was the latest in a series of one-sided Glasgow derbies.
Celtic remained unbeaten against Rangers last season and have already opened up a five-point lead over them in the current campaign.
For most onlookers, including Celtic fans, it’s becoming increasingly clear that Philippe Clement’s Rangers might be more concerned with the challenge posed by Aberdeen, who have started the season with a perfect record, rather than closing the gap on Celtic.
While Souness appears to be in denial, another former Rangers captain, Barry Ferguson, offered a more grounded assessment.
Present at Parkhead for Sunday’s match, Ferguson was quick to acknowledge Celtic’s superiority and had “no complaints” about the result.
The match was a masterclass from Celtic, with derby specialist Kyogo Furuhashi having a goal ruled out for offside before Daizen Maeda opened the scoring. Kyogo then added a spectacular goal of his own, followed by a stunning strike from captain Callum McGregor.
Ferguson was asked about the gap between Celtic and Rangers in light of Souness’ comments during an appearance on Go Radio. His response was blunt and to the point:
“On the evidence of the game, yes, there is certainly a big gulf. Look, the manager has mentioned there have been 12 players out of the door (at Rangers) and 12 new players coming through the door. Yes, it’s going to take a bit of time, but the game, the strength in depth that Celtic have got. You could see the quality that they have got. I have no complaints. They are the better team, in my opinion, won the game.”
Ferguson went on to criticise Rangers’ inability to learn from their mistakes, particularly regarding the goals they conceded.
“When Celtic get into that final third, they are constantly a threat,” he continued. “When that Kyogo goal got caught offside, you have got to learn from that. Then what happens with Maeda’s goal? It’s a carbon copy. They don’t learn their lessons – Celtic score so many goals like that.”
Celtic’s squad depth is another key factor in their ongoing dominance. Players like Adam Idah, who returned to Celtic after a successful, trophy-winning loan spell, and club-record signing Arne Engels, came off the bench against Rangers but were hardly needed. By the time they entered the pitch, the game was already won, allowing Rodgers to ease them into the action.
This depth, coupled with the sale of Matt O’Riley for a significant fee, has only served to widen the gap between the two clubs.
Celtic’s ability to rotate their squad without losing quality on the pitch is a clear indication that the chasm between them and Rangers isn’t just wide—it’s growing with each passing season.