Graham Dorrans needs to be brought back down to earth after Celtic-Rangers comments

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Graham Dorrans thinks that the main difference between Celtic and managerless Rangers is that the Treble-winners have ‘match-winners’ in their squad.

From that perspective, it’s great to see the former midfielder understand the reality facing Rangers when watching Celtic week in and week, or when they are facing the Bhoys at Ibrox or Parkhead.

From Kyogo Furuhashi, who scored the winner, once again, at Ibrox this season, to the ever-growing Matt O’Riley, who netted in stoppage-time during Celtic’s stunning win at Motherwell recently.

But whilst it’s rosy in one garden, it’s chaos in the other as Rangers, after sacking Michael Beale, are looking for a new manager after falling seven points behind the leaders.

The ‘match-winners’ comments from Graham Dorrans can’t be argued. Facts are facts. But what he also needs to be pulled up on is his suggestion that ‘there isn’t a massive gulf between the two’, as he told Go Radio.

Well, that’s where the former West Brom man needs to be brought back down to earth. From style of play, attracting the best managers, individual players, winning trophies, dealing with the pressure, Glasgow derby games themselves, recruitment and reacting to setbacks. The gulf is beyond huge and it’s proving to be the case on the pitch.

Celtic and Rangers difference

“Celtic and Rangers going into that game (at Ibrox), Celtic were the ones under pressure,” said Dorrans. “They had just been put of the cup. Drew at home to St Johnstone. Everybody was going into the game fancying Rangers to go and win it. They didn’t.

“I think, at the minute, is that Celtic have got match-winners. I don’t think there is a massive gulf between the two. But Celtic have match-winners. Rangers haven’t.”

Seven-point lead… and growing

Heading into the second international break, the lead at the top is seven points and the feeling is that Brendan Rodgers’ side are yet to really get going.

Cameron Cartver-Vickers has just returned, Reo Hatate is now starting to get warmed up, new faces, such as Luis Palma, are starting to grow and Rodgers himself is starting to settle down for the second time.

By the time the Rangers fixture comes about in December, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the lead is double points post that fixture.