The fallout from Sunday’s Glasgow Derby continues to reverberate across Scottish football, with Celtic’s convincing victory over Rangers providing plenty of fodder for pundits and former players alike. The aftermath has seen some strong opinions aired, from the perplexing to the poignant.
Earlier this week, Craig Moore’s curious take on Celtic’s performance raised eyebrows, while Graeme Souness’s rather strange assertion that the gap between the two Glasgow giants isn’t as wide as many believe sparked further debate.
However, Martin O’Neill, a former Celtic manager with a deep understanding of the rivalry, did not mince his words when responding to Souness’s comments.
According to O’Neill, there is a “chasm” between Celtic and Rangers, a word that aptly captures the current gulf in class.
As the dust settles, another Rangers stalwart, Ally McCoist, has weighed in, and his observations carry the weight of painful experience.
McCoist, a former striker and manager of Rangers, admitted his deep disappointment in the wake of the defeat, acknowledging that Celtic have been doing something “excellent” that his beloved Rangers have struggled to emulate.
In a candid discussion on talkSPORT, McCoist didn’t shy away from the hard truths facing his former club.
“I take Graeme’s point, but the key is, or one of the key things, is recruitment. Celtic’s recruitment has been excellent,” he said, laying bare the stark contrast between the two clubs’ transfer strategies.
“Rangers has been anything but. You can discuss whether you’ve got £1m to spend or £40m to spend, you’ve got to get it right more often than not. Rangers haven’t done that.
“Rangers gave money to, I think it was Michael Beale beforehand, not sure how much he was given, but I’m not sure it’s been as wisely spent as it should have. I know it’s not been as widely spent as it should have.”
McCoist’s analysis strikes at the heart of Rangers’ current malaise. The club’s transfer dealings, which should have bolstered their title challenge, have instead been a source of frustration. In stark contrast, Celtic’s approach has been a masterclass in recruitment, a process honed over several years.
“Just look at Celtic’s recruitment. Celtic’s recruitment, I think, in this window, Brendan, he brings in four or five players for, I don’t know, we’ll say £30m, £28m he’s got it back on Matt O’Riley. So his net spend is nothing and they’re bringing in quality and that’s a massive thing.”
McCoist’s remarks underscore a broader issue at Rangers, one that has seen Celtic’s player-trading model set the standard not just in Scotland, but arguably across British football.
For Celtic, the ability to buy players with potential and sell them for significant profits has been the cornerstone of their financial success. It’s a strategy that has allowed the club to maintain a healthy balance sheet while continuing to invest in their squad.
The success of this model is reflected in the impressive fees garnered for players like Matt O’Riley, Jota, and Moussa Dembele. While there have been occasional missteps, the overall success rate has been enviable.
Coupled with the financial windfall from regular participation in the Champions League and lucrative commercial deals, notably with Adidas, Celtic have managed to remain at the top of Scottish football.
In contrast, Rangers’ recruitment strategy has been erratic at best, a point McCoist highlights with palpable frustration.
“Your recruitment has got to be good and Rangers’ hasn’t been good,” he concluded, a sobering assessment that will likely resonate with the Ibrox faithful as they contemplate the road ahead.
Celtic’s dominance in the transfer market is not just a matter of spending power, but of spending wisely—a reality that Rangers must grapple with if they are to close the ever-widening gap. As things stand, that gap, or “chasm” as O’Neill aptly described it, looks set to persist.