Celtic fan Charlie Nicholas concerned at prospect of Steven Gerrard’s Rangers

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Celtic face Rangers in the first Old Firm derby of the season at Parkhead early next month.

Charlie Nicholas has told Sky Sports News (Thursday 12:30pm) that he is concerned as a Celtic fan that Rangers are beginning to close the gap under Steven Gerrard.

Gerrard has made an unbeaten start to life as Rangers manager, picking up four wins as well as three draws against Aberdeen with 10 men, FK Shkupi in Macedonia and NK Osijek.

The Gers currently sit ahead of Rangers in the Scottish Premiership by a point after Celtic lost 1-0 to Hearts on Saturday, in what was the start of a dismal week at Parkhead.

Nicholas, who played for Celtic during two spells, is concerned that Rangers are closing the gap between the two Old Firm sides ahead of the first clash between the bitter rivals on September 2.

“I am concerned that if Rangers get a bit of momentum, they will close this gap,” Nicholas said. “They lost seven home games last season. That won’t happen this season.

“It’ll be a harder place to go and win. People are already looking to September 2 and saying, is this going to be a test? Well it will be. As a Celtic fan, I am concerned because Gerrard will close this gap.”

Celtic have suffered a loss to Hearts as well as an exit from the Champions League following a loss to AEK Athens, with Brendan Rodgers frustrated at a lack of summer activity. The saga surrounding Dedryck Boyata remains.

Rangers meanwhile are going strength to strength and are expected to progress past Slovenian outfit Maribor into the Europa League play-off round on Thursday night, where they will face either FC Ufa or Progres Niederkorn.