Rangers manager Philippe Clement has admitted that Celtic are currently ahead of his side, as the reigning Scottish champions have made a strong start to the season.
In contrast, Rangers have struggled to find their rhythm, and their early-season difficulties were compounded by a defeat in the first Old Firm derby of the campaign.
Clement, however, remains confident that Rangers possess the quality to challenge their rivals for the Scottish Premiership title, despite acknowledging the work that lies ahead.
He recognises the challenge posed by Celtic, who have been methodically building their squad for over a year, and have already established a cohesive unit under their own management.
“The other side of the town have been building their squad for more than one year and playing together. It’s normal that they are ahead now. I hate that and I want to change that as fast as possible,” Clement told Glasgow World, expressing his frustration with Rangers’ current standing.
Rangers are once again in the midst of a rebuilding process, a challenge that has been exacerbated by financial constraints.
Former Rangers manager Graeme Souness recently remarked that even with £50 million to spend, the team would still face significant challenges. This highlights the financial disparity between Rangers and Celtic, who have more freedom in the transfer market.
While Celtic lost Matt O’Riley to Brighton for a record transfer fee this summer, they have responded by strengthening their squad with the likes of Arne Engels and Adam Idah. The ability to spend big on quality reinforcements has kept them ahead of Rangers in the title race.
In contrast, Rangers faced the departure of 16 players during the summer, including several who left on free transfers. Rebuilding the squad under these conditions has not been an easy task.
The defeat in the Old Firm derby exposed the gap in quality between the two sides, but Clement’s determination to close that gap will be welcomed by the Rangers faithful.
While the road ahead may be difficult, Clement remains optimistic that Rangers can compete and eventually turn the tide in their favour.