Rangers hero makes brave claim about league leaders Celtic

Celtic continue to lead the Premiership after winning away at Livingston. And while the Rangers have gotten some positive results recently, the situation around Ibrox does not seem to be the best. Most of their fans appear to have given up on Michael Beale already, as have several pundits, building pressure on the manager.

Kenny Miller has switched that approach with a few thoughts on the league title race. And it looks like he is certain that Celtic will be dropping points as well, which the Rangers must capitalise on.

With the Rangers having been knocked out of the Champions League qualifiers, their Thursday Europa League fixtures will mean that they will often be playing catch up to Celtic for domestic weekend matches.

Celtic will usually play first at weekends, with the Rangers left to try and catch up on Sunday. That was the case this weekend as Beale’s side managed to get a nervy 1-0 win over Motherwell to keep the gap at 4 points.

Rangers hero makes brave claim about Celtic

Miller appears to reckon that it’s inevitable Celtic will drop points in the title race. He pointed to Celtic taking time to settle into a playing style under Brendan Rodgers and noting that their new signings may take time to settle.

He wrote in his column in the Daily Record:

"In terms of the title race, I expect Celtic to drop points. And with that comes possibilities for Rangers. No matter what anyone says – because I was involved in it for years – every Old Firm player looks for the other side’s result. If you’re playing earlier, irrespective of what you’re doing later that day, you’re checking to see how they’re getting on.That’s the way it is. But you can only control what you do and how you work. Rangers don’t face Celtic now until the end of December. You can’t affect them. But if you continually win your own games, it keeps the pressure on. And at this moment, Celtic aren’t at full strength. They’ve got injury issues there.They’ve signed a lot of new players as well and – like Rangers – are still searching for their best form. They’ve already lost in the cup and dropped points in the Premiership. That has to give Michael and Rangers encouragement. But encouragement is one thing. It means nothing if you don’t win."

Miller’s key reasons for Celtic possibly stumbling in the league overlook the scenario across the city at Ibrox. Injuries to key players, two league defeats already, new players struggling to make an impact and a manager highly criticised by their own fans. It’s not looking too promising there currently.

Sunday’s win over Motherwell only suggested that the Rangers have their own high risk of dropping points. There was a chorus of boos from the crowd at full-time and it would not have helped settle the team.