Alex McLeish thinks new Rangers boss Philippe Clement faces a ‘difficult task’ in trying to overcome Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic this season.
Those at Ibrox turned to former Monaco coach Philippe Clement as Michael Beale’s successor, with Bhoys legend Martin O’Neill sending his own blunt message to the Belgian.
But when Alex McLeish spoke about the 49-year-old, he thinks that the new Rangers boss needs to ‘win every game’ in the Scottish Premiership, as well as against Celtic, in order to bridge the seven-point gap, as he told The Scottish Football Podcast.
The talk around Glasgow is far different to what it was at the start of the season because those across the road felt that they were the ones who were going to be holding a seven-point lead.
Instead, Rangers have watched an injury-hit Celtic side, not just start the season unbeaten, but also pick up a win at Ibrox.
The reality is starting to hit for those in Rangers colours, as their former boss, Alex McLeish recently alluded to.
Celtic and Rangers gap
“They have just let that gap increase a wee bit which is a shame,” said McLeish.
On if the gap is bridgeable: “It’s a tough one. Early doors. I tell you what the reaction was when my first game, the year of the Treble. We were at Killie. I think Celtic won on Saturday. We drew 1-1 and Celtic won. There were headlines in the sports pages saying ‘the league is finished’.
“First game of the season? For God’s sake, you know. That’s what strikes me as a wee bit of a difficult task, in the fact that they are a wee bit behind.
“Now they have to go hammer and tong and win every game, including the Celtic games.”
Time to put the foot down for Celtic
This is where Rodgers and Co. start to showcase their ruthless side and run away with it.
Injured players are starting to return, new faces are more settled, so hopefully, the levels of performances go up a notch when the team returns from their national games.
There are some big games coming up, starting with a clash against Hearts, with the main events being in the Champions League.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
