The gap between Celtic and Rangers over the last 13 years or so has been huge.
Since 2012, Celtic have won every league title, bar one, a second nine-in-a-row, and Invincibles Treble and an unprecedented Quadruple Treble.
The difference in finances between both clubs has also been massive with Celtic’s deals with Adidas, player trading model and 52,000 season ticket holders keeping the Parkhead club miles ahead of Rangers.
But the landscape could change this season. The 49ers Enterprises investment in Rangers could mean that Celtic face a stiffer test this season and that the gap between the two clubs could now close.
But not according to the BBC’s Jonathan Sutherland who when challenged by former Celtic defender Charlie Mulgrew and colleague Michael Stewart, delivered his prediction on whether he believes the gap between the Bhoys and Rangers will close at all this season.
Michael Stewart believes the gap between Celtic and Rangers will not ‘narrow significantly’
Michael Stewart was first up to deliver his verdict on the gap between Celtic and Rangers closing and the BBC pundit was unequivocal in his view.
Stewart said on The Scottish Football Podcast [12m 13s], “I mean, to be honest, it’s immaterial. I don’t see it dramatically narrowing, put it that way. It was pretty wide last season.
“So, I mean, the only thing that’s really of any real material interest is whether that narrows significantly, and I do not see that happening, no.”
Charlie Mulgrew, who was also appearing on the podcast took this chance to force Sutherland to nail his colours to the mast.
BBC man says Celtic’s ‘spending power’ will keep the gap to Rangers the same
Celtic ended last season 17 points ahead of Rangers and Mulgrew and Stewart probed the BBC podcast host to deliver his opinion on whether he thinks that will close this season.
Mulgrew to Jonathan Sutherland: “What do you think?”
Sutherland: “What do I think?”
Mulgrew: “He’s on the fence, isn’t he?”
Stewart: “Who’s convinced you more, Charlie or myself?”
Sutherland: “I think Celtic are probably more likely to spend bigger. So…”
Mulgrew: “Will it be tighter this year or not?”
Sutherland: “I suspect it might not be because Celtic have the bigger spending power, but what do I know, Charlie? That’s why you’re here.”
Mulgrew [laughing]: “I don’t have a clue, either.”
How much Celtic may have raked in this summer from the Como Cup
Celtic’s finances have been streets ahead of Rangers’ for decades and the reason for that is organising events like this summer’s Como Cup.
Brendan Rodgers faced Ajax and Al-Ahli in the Como Cup and a finance expert predicted Celtic could bank £3m from that and the complete summer friendly schedule.
At a time when the prize money for winning the Scottish Premiership is not much higher than that, the Celtic hierarchy, for all their faults, should be commended for bringing in that kind of cash when during the close season.
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