Rangers failed to beat Kilmarnock at Ibrox on Wednesday evening.
Alan Stubbs has told BT Sport on Wednesday night that he does believe Rangers are closing the gap on Celtic, but a key area in which Celtic still have the upper hand over Steven Gerrard’s side.
Rangers have had a disappointing few days under Gerrard, losing the Scottish League Cup semi-final to Aberdeen at Hampden Park, before failing to overcome Kilmarnock at Ibrox in the league on Wednesday.
Failing to beat Steve Clarke’s Killie has left the Gers in fourth place in the Scottish Premiership, but they are now four points behind Old Firm rivals Celtic who beat Dundee 5-0 at Dens Park.
Former Everton and Celtic defender Stubbs has been impressed by ex-Merseyside rival Gerrard since he took over at Ibrox and believes the gap is closing, but stated that Celtic still boast the upper hand in the bigger matches.
“Before the season started, everyone was saying that it was going to take two or three years for Rangers to get close to Celtic,” Stubbs said. “So, it’s not going to happen overnight. They’ve made good strides.
“On Sunday, you saw a difference between where both clubs are. You saw Celtic, who know how to win big games [beating Hearts 3-0], and you saw Rangers enter a big game for the first time under Steven’s stewardship.
“They were a little bit wondering at times. You know, they just didn’t get over the line.”
In 24 league and cup appearances under Gerrard, Rangers have lost only three times. Suffering defeat to Aberdeen on Sunday, the Light Blues were also beaten by Celtic and newly-promoted Livingston.
The Gers remain unbeaten, though, in Europe as they top Group G of the Europa League after beating Rapid Vienna and drawing against Spartak Moscow and Villarreal. They next face St. Mirren away from home on Saturday.
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