Rangers are set to finish six points behind Old Firm rivals Celtic in the Scottish Premiership.
Alex McLeish has stated that Rangers need to recruit well in the summer if they are to ‘seriously challenge’ their Old Firm rivals Celtic next season.
Steven Gerrard’s side are set to finish six points behind the Bhoys. who have won eight Scottish Premiership titles in a row and will be looking for number nine next term.
Over the weekend, the Light Blues eased to a 2-0 win over Neil Lennon’s side to win back-to-back home games against their neighbours at Ibrox.
But in order for Gerrard and his players to take that next step and overtake the current champions, former Scotland manager McLeish believes there is only one area they need to look at.
“The most important thing for him [Gerrard] now if they’re going to seriously challenge Celtic is recruitment,” McLeish told Love Sport Radio. “That is the key to any success that you want to have as a manager and as a football club.
“They’ve certainly given Celtic food for thought. Let’s face it, you hear Guardiola saying how much he owes to Klopp because of the phenomenal finish to the English Premier League and the amount of points that those two teams got and that’s what happens with Rangers and Celtic.
“Rangers will drive Celtic and Celtic will drive Rangers. Given that Celtic lost that game rather meekly, [even though they were] preparing for a cup final and maybe with a few tired legs and maybe not focusing as much as they would be, they might think they need to be looking at their recruitment.”
At the start of the season, many would have had Celtic as clear favourites to win the title, but by Christmas, Gerrard, who is in his first season in management, had Rangers level on points with their bitter rivals.
Upon returning from the midwinter break, the Gers added the likes of Jermain Defoe and Steven Davis to their ranks as they were looking likely to mount a serious title challenge.
But indifferent performances from Gerrard’s side and a good run of form from Celtic saw them run away with a lead and ultimately the title.
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