Rangers sit two points behind Celtic in the Scottish Premiership table.
Andy Walker has told Sky Sports that Rangers are still not Scottish Premiership title contenders, and will only prove their title credentials with a win over Celtic on December 29.
Rangers smashed Stephen Robinson’s Motherwell on Sunday afternoon at Ibrox, winning 7-1 thanks to goals from Alfredo Morelos, James Tavernier, Glenn Middleton and braces from Eros Grezda and Scott Arfield.
The win was all the more important after Celtic failed to beat newly-promoted Livingston at Almondvale and although Brendan Rodgers’ side have gone top of the table, Rangers are just two points behind.
Rangers sit in third but level on points with Hearts, though they have a game in hand. Despite the narrow margins at the top of the table, Walker will have surely angered Rangers fans by claiming the Gers are not yet title contenders.
“I think what Rangers’ goal is now is to go into the next game against Celtic at the end of December, and if they are still within touching distance, I think the biggest test for Rangers is to try and win a big game,” Walker said.
“They were really poor in the first game against Celtic and against Aberdeen in the semi-final. I think when the next really big game comes around against Celtic that’s the one they need to win to show they are serious title contenders.”
Rangers play host to Celtic at Ibrox on December 29, with plenty of the belief that Rangers are in their best shape since gaining promotion back to the Scottish Premiership under Mark Warburton back in 2016.
Rangers have failed to beat Celtic in 12 league and cup encounters since returning to the top flight, picking up only two draws under the guidance of Graeme Murty.
The Light Blues play host to Gary Holt’s Livingston next time out on November 24 after the international break, before taking on Villarreal in the Europa League.
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