Rangers legend makes surprise confession ahead of Celtic game

Celtic will welcome, if you can call it that, the Rangers to Parkhead this weekend for the first Glasgow Derby of the 2022/23 season. A lot is riding on the result of this game as well. A win would send the Hoops 5-points clear, this early on in the campaign. On the other hand, a defeat would see Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side turn the tables around and get a one-point lead of their own.

It is balanced on a thin line at the moment and both teams have reasons to be confident of their chances. Anything but a win will be disappointing for Celtic. On the other hand, anything other than a defeat, a positive result for the Rangers.

The previous season had ended with Celtic winning by a margin of four points and it is very possible that this one could be tighter.

Ally McCoist though has made a surprising confession about the Rangers’ current squad and does not believe that it is stronger this time around. As reported by the Daily Record, he said while speaking on Scottish Football Extra:

"“No. It is very early. They might develop into a stronger side but at this moment in time, no.“We’ve received a lot of money, but at the same time we’ve lost talent. And just as importantly for me, I think we’ve lost a real physicality.“I really do think Rangers have lost a physicality. I would be a little bit concerned about that. I really, really would. Particularly at set plays, that’s a big concern for me.”"

Rangers legend makes surprise admission ahead of Celtic game

Celtic have managed to keep their core of their double-winning squad together. The only two key players that they lost are Tom Rogic and Nir Bitton, who was not a regular starter but had a role ot play.

On the other hand, the Rangers have lost a couple of key players from last season in the form of Calvin Bassey and Joe Aribo.

One of the areas that the Rangers have held an edge over Celtic in recent years is physicality. It remains to be seen if that changes or at least the gap becomes smaller, in that department.

It must be pointed out that Celtic signed 6′ 4″ Danish defensive midfielder, Oliver Abildgaard, on loan on deadline day.