Chris Sutton is not surprised, nor critical, of the big talk coming out of Rangers since Michael Beale’s appointment but has insisted Celtic can destroy any ‘new manager bounce’ by simply staying on course.
Beale has arrived as an untested manager at Ibrox following a brief stint at Queens Park Rangers, talking up his new team’s chances of progressing and closing the gap to Celtic.
As Sutton notes in his Daily Record column this weekend, you wouldn’t really expect anything else from a new appointee. He isn’t going to give up any fight immediately, is he?
However, the former Celtic striker also nails the role of the Bhoys in all this, stating: “There has been a lot of talk coming out of Rangers since the appointment of Michael Beale and, to be honest, there’s not a lot wrong with that. The new manager has immediately stated that the nine-point gap to Celtic can be overcome.
“What else was he going to say? Oh we can’t catch Celtic? This is about building for next season? Of course he’s going to say that. He’d have been hammered for saying anything else.
“But the truth is that it is down to Celtic. Unless Rangers win all three remaining Old Firm games, and I don’t see that happening, it is out of Beale’s hands. He’s relying on Celtic making mistakes against the rest and that’s where the champions have to be solid and not offer a shard of light on dark winter’s days to their rivals.
“If Celtic keep themselves nine clear by doing the business game on game, the new manager bounce at Rangers won’t last long. Postecoglou has the attacking weapons to make that happen and, in getting his captain back in McGregor for today’s Portugal friendly against Rennes, he’s getting a huge boost.”
It’s crucial that complacency doesn’t set in at the Bhoys but, to be perfectly honest, there has been zero sign of that happening. Ange Postecoglou won’t allow it, based on the evidence so far.
If Celtic keep taking care of business, as Sutton notes, it won’t be long until any honeymoon period at Ibrox is over. Obviously, the Bhoys will stay focused on themselves, but it’s undeniable that the form of Celtic can impact decisions over there.
Certainly, there are interesting times ahead if Celtic can simply stay on the tracks given how erratic other clubs can be.
In other news, Why Celtic are about to enjoy an even bigger Matt O’Riley impact.
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