Michael Stewart believes Rangers are badly lacking the game-winning attributes that Celtic possess within Brendan Rodgers’ squad, despite question marks also being raised about the Bhoys in the early stages of the season.
Celtic lost to Kilmarnock in the League Cup and followed that up with a disappointing draw at home to St Johnstone, leaving many concerned about a drop-off from last season.
However, while it’s clear that the Bhoys are still working up to a peak, big wins are being delivered. That was demonstrated today with a late victory away to Motherwell, which has put the team four points clear of St Mirren and seven beyond Rangers.
Celtic have what Rangers don’t
Speaking on BBC Sportscene tonight, Stewart is seeing impressive traits in Celtic that are simply absent over at Ibrox and he has credited Rodgers for getting the champions back on track.
The former Hearts and Hibs man said: “The thing that win highlights is if you look at the difference from the Kilmarnock cup game where they got knocked out, Celtic looked a completely different animal and beast to what they are now. And certainly what they had been in the season before, and when Brendan was there previously. It was a real eye-opening performance, in terms of being pretty poor.
“You look at how quickly he [Rodgers] has been able to get things back, get some key players back into the team and build towards what you have seen there – late goals, not panicking.
“If you look at what has happened at Ibrox, you don’t see that happening. You don’t see the desire to stop balls coming into the box, to stop players running off the back of you. Celtic have got that, and Rangers don’t.”
Celtic’s champion mentality has been a key driver of success over the last two seasons under Ange Postecoglou. He instilled a belief into the team that makes it extra difficult for domestic opponents to succeed.
Rodgers himself reckons the team have taken a step forward mentally and noted that in the build-up to the Motherwell game. Despite a few shaky performances early on, slowly the team are warming up to what the manager is looking for.
It bodes well because, despite today’s win, the team still aren’t near their peak. A lot more is to come from this squad and that must be the scariest thing for our rivals who are already a distance behind in the table.
In other news, What Brendan Rodgers told Celtic stars in dressing room after astonishing win over Motherwell.
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