A strange narrative has been building this week about the gulf between Celtic and Rangers after the League Cup final.
It seems that because Rangers pushed Celtic to penalties somehow the gap between the clubs is not as big as people first thought it was.
Let’s not forget that Celtic are unbeaten in the league, are 11 points ahead of Rangers, have won the first two Glasgow Derby’s of the season and have a huge squad blessed with talent.
It seems all that, and more, was not lost on Michael Stewart as he bared the ‘reality’ of Rangers’ current financial situation compared to Celtic.
Michael Stewart says Rangers ‘are nowhere near the club the Celtic are’
The conversation was based around how Rangers take the next step to get closer to Celtic after the League Cup final when Stewart dropped this truth bomb that will upset the Ibrox support.
Stewart told The Scottish Football Social Club, “Fundamentally, we’re just talking about the team and what they need.
“When you look at it, I think Rangers’ turnover was about £80-odd million. Celtic’s was £120m. That’s a 50% uplift. And Celtic made a massive profit, and Rangers lost £17 million.
“So you’re talking about a gulf that is huge, right? But the perception is second is just nowhere. But the reality is that Rangers, at the moment, are nowhere near the club the Celtic are.”
Michael Stewart is ‘struggling’ to see how Rangers can catch Celtic
That’s not all. Stewart goes on to say that he is also ‘struggling’ to see how Rangers can bridge the financial gap as Celtic just keep getting richer.
“They can’t financially compete,” continues Stewart, “They’ve tried to bridge that gap in the last decade and they managed to win the league in that one year.
“But I’m struggling to see how they are going to be able to bridge that gap financially to be able to compete every year.
“Genuinely compete and I don’t know how they do that.”
Celtic have the ability to go into the January transfer market and strengthen. Judging by the recent Kieran Tierney Hoops transfer rumours, Brendan Rodgers intends to do just that.
Rangers, on the other hand, need to try and save money to balance the books and with Celtic’s financial muscle right now, the Parkhead club has the opportunity to pull even further ahead without making a dent on their bank balance.
It’s going to be a tough few years for Rangers as they tighten their belts and watch Celtic continue to spend big to strengthen the first team.
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