Michael Stewart sums up difference between Celtic and Rangers with brutally honest verdict

By John McGinley

March 4, 2023

Pundit Michael Stewart hasn’t missed with his analysis of the problems at Rangers, in comparison to Celtic, speaking on BBC Radio Scotland earlier today.

Celtic’s superb Hampden victory over the Ibrox side last weekend has seemed to send some Rangers-leaning pundits and supporters into a tailspin of despair. There were even banners displayed at Ibrox today calling for change.

Before their kick-off against Kilmarnock today, BBC Sportsound dedicated a large chunk of their pre-match debate on the problems facing Michael Beale’s team.

Going through a list of the squad in place as is, pundits such as Rory Loy seemed happy to ditch most of the players this summer, before coming to the conclusion that even big-name players such as Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos should move on.

Stewart jumped in at that point and agreed but reminded the panel that they’re not going to get any money for that pair and that Rangers’ goalscoring power in contrast to Celtic is pitiful.

Michael Stewart criticises Kent, Morelos in Celtic and Rangers verdict

The outspoken former Hearts man said on BBC Radio Scotland [14:15]: “You’re not going to get offers for them now because they are out of contract. The problem is that Rangers have allowed themselves into a situation here where guys that they were supposedly going to get bids for, they priced out of the market or they didn’t get bids for them.

“They spent a lot of money on Ryan Kent and that is an example of poor management of the situation. He’s now in a position where he’s got all the cards. He doesn’t come up with the goods often enough – look at him last weekend. He’s someone you’d regard as one of Rangers’ go-to guys but far too often he doesn’t come up with the goods.

“Morelos, Michael Beale has been able to get a bit more out of him since he’s come in, but he’s not good enough. Look at the size of him. He’s overweight, he’s not producing the goods enough in the big games. He scored last week but generally, I’m still not seeing enough.

“When you compare and contrast it with what’s going on across the city. Rangers last week before the game you’re looking at their side and wondering where the goals are coming from. When you look at the Celtic side there are four or five players who either almost guarantee goals or have a very good chance of one. Rangers simply don’t have that. They have so many of these players that are playing in positions like false nines, number tens or behind the striker but where are the goals? They’re not producing it.”

Stewart is right here. Celtic have scored a ridiculous 82 goals in the league alone, from just 26 goals. On average, it’s been scoring at a pace exceeding the club record set back in the 1915/16 season. At the time of the pundit’s comments pre-match, Rangers had scored 61 from the same amount of games. While still impressive in contrast to the rest of the league, it’s nowhere near the Bhoys – who also have a superior defence.

Celtic getting great value out of transfer work

Journalist Tom English then went into a comparison of Celtic and Rangers in the transfer market and how Ange Postecoglou has been able to build a squad of great value. Yes, a bit of money has been spent, but English reckons the talent assembled has been more than worth it, with potential re-sales in the future.

Stewart again reinforced his point, stating: “That’s the big difference between Celtic and Rangers. Last year Rangers moved on Joe Aribo, Calvin Bassey and Nathan Patterson for good money. For too long and too often they haven’t got value for money either in wages for players coming in or creating value in the sell-on.”

All in all, every pundit and presenter in place on Sportsound were in agreement that the Ibrox club are facing a massive rebuild, with the main problem being they haven’t proven they are capable of doing the business to optimise that – certainly not in the way Postecoglou and Celtic have done over the last 18 months.

It’s easy to understand why protest banners are starting to pop up as Celtic march on and reality sets in.

In other news, Celtic announce PPV option for sold-out Hearts match.