Graeme Souness faced ridicule on talkSPORT for insisting the gap between Celtic and Rangers in the Scottish Premiership is narrower than most believe.
His comments sparked a heated exchange with co-host Simon Jordan, following Rangers’ crushing 3-0 defeat to Celtic in the Old Firm derby on 1 September.
Since that loss, Rangers have fallen five points behind their bitter rivals in the league, sitting level on points with Aberdeen. With Celtic topping the table, many view the gap between the Glasgow giants as widening rather than narrowing.
TalkSPORT presenter Shebahn Aherne didn’t hold back when she addressed Souness’ remarks on air. Speaking on 13 October at 2:28pm, she questioned his take in scathing fashion.
“I’m sure I heard him say recently there’s not much of a gap between Celtic and Rangers. Okay, Graham. Good one,” she quipped, leaving no doubt about her view on the former manager’s assessment.
Can Rangers Close the Gap?
It’s no secret that Celtic have dominated Scottish football in recent years, much to the frustration of Rangers supporters. But as painful as it may be for fans of the Light Blues, the first step to turning things around is accepting reality: the gap between the two clubs is real, and it’s growing.
The task for Rangers is clear – they need change from top to bottom. A new CEO is in the pipeline, offering a glimmer of hope for improved leadership.
But the summer’s squad overhaul has not delivered the results the club hoped for, with performances on the pitch still falling short.
New manager Philippe Clement faces a tough challenge. Unlike Brendan Rodgers, who enjoys a far bigger budget across the city, Clement must work with limited financial resources.
He’ll need to think carefully about his strategy ahead of the January transfer window, as tough decisions await at Ibrox.
Rangers recently announced what they describe as the “biggest deal” in Scottish football, securing £3 million a year through an extension of their sponsorship agreement with the Kindred Group.
If those funds are invested wisely in player recruitment, they could help bolster the squad and reduce the gap to Celtic.
But there are no quick fixes. Rangers must be patient and get their decisions right – consistently. Restoring the club to its former glory will require time and sound planning. The work must start now, with everyone at the club aligned in their efforts to reclaim their place at the top of Scottish football.