Michael Stewart has made a grim assessment of Rangers’ financial situation, one that Celtic can take advantage of.
The former Manchester United, Hearts and Hibernian midfielder, now a pundit for the BBC, responded to Rangers crashing out of the Champions League last night. Malmö did the damage over two legs.
Because of that loss, last season’s Champions will miss out on a substantial fee for competing in the Champions League proper. It could well facilitate some outgoings at Ibrox, which a resurgent Celtic could take advantage of.
Stewart tweeted last night:
Some of last season’s star performers – we say grudgingly – may need to leave the club in order to keep their finances in a more secure position.
Celtic, meanwhile, continue to build. The Bhoys are already outspending the summer of 20-21, with more pieces to come. Most recently, Celtic were linked to French striker Thomas Henry, of OH Leuven [Sun]. Defenders, such as Ko Itakura and right-back Aurelio Buta, have also been linked.
It’s clear Celtic are far from the finished article. However, the Bhoys have been markedly better in front of supporters. Rangers, meanwhile, have lost their last 3 matches, with fans in attendance.
Without rubbing salt in the wound for the sake of it, these factors ought to really encourage Celtic. In much the same way as the Bhoys were wounded by a Champions League exit to Ferencvaros, and how Celtic were impacted by not having their fans last season.
This isn’t empty goading; Michael Stewart is right. Rangers look flustered and it’s up to Celtic to take advantage
Look; if you want “wayhay, Rangers are out!” content, then fair play. You deserve it. But talking in very real terms, last night offers some longer-term hope for Celtic.
Not that our success should be contingent on others losing. For years, Celtic were utterly dominant regardless of what was happening elsewhere. However, complacency and a lack of investment cost us the chance of a historic 10 in a Row. We’ll have to settle for having done the 9 twice.
Really, long-term, our board failed to take advantage of our rivals’ situation. Initially, fine, they did. But risky managerial choices, or failing to adequately back a generational coaching talent; there were myriad lessons to learn from last season and beyond.
The primary one is that this Celtic board have to step it up now. This isn’t the Rangers from last season, and they may well lose key pieces if Michael Stewart is right. Rather than backing off, the support given to Ange Postecoglou to deliver his winning brand of football needs to be ramped up.
So, no; it’s not gloating time, as fun as that is. Instead, this should be a huge wake-up call to the Celtic board. Our main competitors for our title are simply going through it.
It’s up to the Bhoys to take advantage.
Read more: The Ralstonnaissance?
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