Craig Moore is worried about strength of Celtic as he rates Rangers chances of winning the league

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With the new season kick-off less than five days away, the Celtic fans will be looking forward to Flag Day as Brendan Rodgers begins the title defence against Derek McInnes’ Kilmarnock.

The opening fixture will give a full Parkhead the chance to see new Celtic goalkeeper, Kasper Schmeichel, in the flesh and, hopefully, Paulo Bernardo if the club can get the deal done in time.

After an impressive pre-season US Tour where Celtic handed out thrashings to DC United and Chelsea and taught some of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City players a lesson, former Rangers defender, Craig Moore sounded really worried about Celtic and his old club’s chances of winning the league.

No Rangers ‘magic wand’ as Celtic are ‘getting stronger’

Moore was asked if he believes Rangers have a chance of winning the league next season and his answer was unequivocal.

Moore said [The Go Radio Football Show], “No. No. Look, there are a lot of ways that the season can pan out and I think it will still be close enough throughout the season.

“I don’t think it’s going to be a runaway job but I just feel that Rangers are unfortunately going to be a work in progress and I just don’t know if Clement’s got the magic wand to be able to bring so many players in that are required and from to gel so quickly against a Celtic team that I think is probably getting stronger.

“So I think it’s a big ask.”

With Celtic having pots of cash to spend and Brendan Rodgers determined to bring in quality over quantity, Moore’s prediction of the Bhoys getting stronger as the transfer window progresses seems spot on.

But that’s not all that was worrying the former Rangers man.

Moore predicts ‘tough season’ for Rangers

Moore says that the current Ibrox squad need to be prepared for the criticism that will come their way if their challenge to Celtic doesn’t go to plan and predicted that his old club are going to have a ‘tough season’ ahead.

Moore continued, “I remember Ally McCoist when I come over as a young lad and he says, ‘Listen son, to be successful at this football club, you need to have thick skin’.

“Everybody within that building this season is going to have to have thick skin because I think it is going to be a tough season.

“And I think that they are going to be a team that will progress and develop, but I don’t think they’re going to be a winning team in terms of the title.”

Even though Celtic have permanently lost the likes of Joe Hart, Hyeongyu Oh and Sead Haksabanovic and are still to make Bernardo and Adam Idah permanent Bhoys, the team’s performances in the States against top opposition were extremely pleasing.

If Rodgers can get the players he desires and the quality he demands, Moore is right, our rivals will be in for a hard season ahead as Celtic look to remain the dominant force in Scottish football.