Celtic fan-favourite Johan Mjallby has warned his own club that Rangers are genuine title contenders this season.
The Hoops managed to storm to an early-season 2-0 win at Ibrox last month. The result put Celtic three points clear of their rivals after four games.
However, despite that, nobody else has managed to take points off them as of yet. Kilmarnock, Hibernian, St Mirren, Livingston, and St Johnstone have all been put to the sword by our rivals respectively.
And, speaking in the Daily Record, Mjallby appeared to be concerned that they’re genuinely the real deal.
“It’s important when you play for the Old Firm you have to try and win every trophy. The Betfred Cup is maybe more important to Rangers for confidence and to prove they are on the right track to become proper challengers.
“A lot of people think Rangers will go all the way this time and for me it’s the first time in years they are a proper challenger to Celtic.
“Steven Gerrard has a season under his belt so he knows the club and the players and he brought in a few more and they look a bit more solid.”
Rivals still have plenty to prove before any hype can be believed
There’s no denying the Celtic loss provided a harsh stumbling block from Rangers. But our rivals have bounced back well with three wins in all competitions.
Nobody can deny their form this season, outside of losing against us, has been good. It’s those kinds of games that can help springboard a title challenge. But it also shows just how well Celtic have been playing to be staying ahead of them.
Rangers have still to show they can turn up in big games when it matters domestically. Whilst they may play more aggressively, are creating more chances and scoring more goals, they still sit second-best to Celtic.
Mjallby is likely right in what he says. This Ibrox side will score plenty of goals and will subsequently win plenty of games. But winning more than Celtic looks a tough ask this season.
It’s also worth remembering that both Kilmarnock and St Mirren came close to taking something off them this season too. Rangers are by no means anywhere near invincible for other sides in Scotland.
But they are certainly keeping the pressure on us to win every week at the moment. Fortunately, Celtic’s response to any challenge has been more emphatic as the challenge itself.
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