Celtic fans are enjoying their football so far this season. The team has started in excellent form. The opening game in the Champions League was a delight to watch and a superb result too. It also signalled the flow of even more revenue into the club, which is already coming off a record year in that regard. The next match against Borussia Dortmund away at Signal Iduna Park will be a much tougher test for Brendan Rodgers' side, but one to look forward to.
It’s by no means the same mood over at Ibrox. Fans there are in deep worry and face a bleak outlook for this season and beyond. Perhaps the difference this time around is that they are taking a more realistic view of things rather than their usual daydreams of being the best team in Scotland.
Kris Boyd has been delivering some decent takes lately, though he may be missing a point or two as usual. He has been reflecting on the views of the newly appointed Rangers interim chairman, John Gilligan, in recent statements and media comments.
As reported by the Daily Record, Boyd said regarding the magnitude of the task ahead of the Rangers:
"He can't come out and say it's going to take four or five transfer windows and we're going to write off a couple of seasons because you don't get that at Rangers. That might be the thoughts behind the scenes in terms of it taking a couple of seasons to get back on track but the reality is, they won't get that time. They've backed Philippe Clement in terms of transfers and by all reports, they're going to do the exact same again."
Rangers fans won't be happy with Kris Boyd's Celtic admission
Boyd seems to recognise the challenge but doesn't offer any great solutions himself. Rangers, in aiming to narrow the gap, need to find greater finances. They also need to rely on a series of terrible decisions over at Celtic.
Boyd also points out that it’s unlikely that the fans, or even pundits and ex-players, will allow Gilligan and their club that amount of time to play catch up. Although Dave King seems to be back on the horizon again to offer his unique wisdom and experience.
Celtic can't afford to be complacent in all this and need to keep pressing on. Their focus needs to be on maintaining or widening the gap with the Rangers. So far the signs are very good. Hoops fans should look forward to more success this season.