Ally McCoist has been forthright in addressing the growing gulf between Celtic and Rangers following the first Glasgow derby of the season, where Celtic comfortably triumphed over their historic rivals.
While Graeme Souness has sought to downplay the disparity, citing statistics to make his case, McCoist’s assessment was more candid and revealing.
Reflecting on the stark contrast between the two sides, McCoist expressed his concern about Rangers’ current state. Speaking to Football Scotland, he remarked:
“I can’t remember, sadly, looking at Rangers and Celtic’s team and seeing as big a gulf, which is a major, major concern.”
McCoist further analysed the recent dominance of Celtic, pointing to their superior form in key matches.
“Celtic have dominated and have been better by a distance recently. I looked at the Cup Final last season. Could have went either way, the goalie makes a mistake and Celtic win it. You then look at the season and think, well, we’ll see how it goes. And then boof, nah.”
McCoist’s honesty extended to his recognition of Celtic’s superiority in the latest derby, acknowledging that Rangers are severely lacking in leadership and direction.
“Celtic thoroughly deserved the victory. I look at Rangers and they look lacking in leadership, lacking in direction and it’s a big concern. That said, from Celtic’s point of view, they’ve had a great start to the season and fair play to them.
“I spoke to Brendan Rodgers this morning and as you can imagine, he was in top form. They’ve got the Champions League to look forward to, whereas we’ve got problems. We have got problems.”
McCoist was blunt in his assessment of the quality gap between the two squads, particularly highlighting Celtic’s strength in attack.
“It’s hard to say but you’ve got to tell the truth. And the truth is Celtic looked miles ahead of us at this moment in time, all over the pitch.
“Particularly in forward areas, they look as though they’ve got boys who are lively and score goals. For me that’s the big difference between the sides.”
Financial and Managerial Divide
Celtic’s financial clout has been a significant factor in their recent dominance. The Hoops invested nearly £30 million over the summer while still managing to turn a profit, demonstrating a level of financial acumen that has placed them in a far stronger position than their rivals.
In contrast, Rangers continue to face financial challenges, with limited resources that make it difficult for them to keep pace with Celtic’s quality.
The squad’s inability to match their rivals has become glaringly apparent, especially as Brendan Rodgers has returned to Celtic and revitalised the squad.
Celtic’s impressive form this season is a testament to Rodgers’ leadership and the club’s superior squad depth, which leaves Rangers appearing outclassed.
Furthermore, McCoist acknowledged Celtic’s financial advantages, which extend beyond just player investment.
The Hoops consistently draw larger crowds, with 10,000 more fans attending each home match compared to Ibrox. This significant financial boost further widens the gap between the two clubs.
While Souness may downplay the difference, McCoist’s admission paints a more accurate picture of the current state of affairs. Celtic are not only a bigger club but also a more financially stable one, with an elite manager at the helm.
For now, Rangers appear closer in quality to Hearts than they do to Celtic. Unless Rangers can match Celtic’s resources, the gap between the clubs is likely to continue growing.