Pat Bonner’s assessment of the current gap between Celtic and Rangers was brutally simple, but it was also completely accurate. Celtic keep going. Rangers do not.
Celtic beat Rangers at Parkhead to consign the Ibrox club to third place and another trophyless season and Bonner did not hold back in his assessment of what the difference is between both clubs.
Beginning with ‘I’m sorry to say this’, the former Celtic goalkeeper was brutal as Bonner told the Ibrox support that their team simply does not have the mentality that Celtic have to win trophies.
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Pat Bonner’s Celtic mentality point will hurt Rangers fans
Speaking on the Scottish Football Podcast, the former Celtic goalkeeper highlighted mentality and work ethic as the defining difference between the two clubs right now.
Bonner said: “They work hard, because that’s how Celtic have got back into this. It wasn’t about great performances, but you can see the effort and the hard work, and that’s an appreciation also that the fans give to the players. Put the effort in.
“You may not play well every single game, but if you don’t try hard, and that’s what Celtic have, and I’m sorry to say this, Rangers fans listening in, possibly. I don’t know if they are, but if they are, they’re in a bad place at the moment. They’ve lost the league, they’re out of it.
“But anyway, it doesn’t really matter. But the point I’m saying is that isn’t evident in the Rangers team, and that’s the big, big difference. And Celtic, you said it, I think somebody said it before the game, Celtic will keep going till the 90th minute.
“And if you have that in your team, you have a chance of staying in leagues and winning trophies.”
Bonner’s comments are difficult to argue with because Celtic have repeatedly shown that mentality throughout the season.
Celtic’s late winners have become a recurring theme during the campaign. Brendan Rodgers’ side continue pushing deep into stoppage time and that persistence has earned crucial points.
Celtic supporters can accept the occasional poor performance. What they will never accept is a lack of effort. Bonner understands that because he knows exactly what the club demands.
Rangers’ collapse only strengthens Bonner’s argument
The contrast with Rangers has become impossible to ignore.
Rangers have now lost three consecutive matches and their defeat to Celtic effectively ended their already fading title hopes.
They are now out of the title race and will finish third. That situation makes Bonner’s criticism look even more accurate.
Celtic continue fighting through difficult moments and are on the verge of winning a league and Scottish Cup double. Rangers look like a side waiting for the season to end.
That is the mentality gap Bonner was talking about, and right now it is one Celtic continue to exploit.
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