Celtic should be worried about Rangers’ Jermain Defoe, Alfredo Morelos

Follow us on Google Discover

Ibrox side Glasgow Rangers are genuine threats to Celtic in Scotland now.

Rangers moved two points above Celtic in the Scottish Premiership table on Sunday and, on this form, they could take some catching.

The Gers lost 2-0 to Neil Lennon’s side at Ibrox last month to fall three points behind the Hoops, who are going for nine league titles in a row.

But since then, Rangers have been imperious, thumping Hamilton 5-0 yesterday to make it 17 goals in the four Premiership games since losing to Celtic.

Jermain Defoe scored his second hat-trick of the season on Sunday, taking his tally to nine league goals for the season, with fellow marksman Alfredo Morelos on five.

And if the pair can pull off the rare achievement of both scoring 20 Premiership goals, it could be very bad news for Celtic.

It’s only happened once in the past 20 years that two players from the same team each hit at least 20 Premiership goals in the one season, with Kris Commons and Anthony Stokes achieving the feat for the Bhoys during the 2013-14 campaign.

Even when the Parkhead side had Chris Sutton, Henrik Larsson and John Hartson as striking options, no two of them ever hit the 20-goal barrier in the same league season.

But we’ve only just entered October and Defoe and Morelos certainly have the potential to do it.

Morelos only managed 18 in the league for Rangers last season – and 30 overall – but it’s worth remembering that he was often suspended after picking up five red cards. This season, he looks far more disciplined and he should see the rewards in the form of more goals.

As for Defoe, well the former England international, who turns 37 today, is proving that age is only a number as he continues to roll back the years. Since joining the Gers on loan from Bournemouth in January, the hitman has managed 17 Premiership goals in 14 starts.

These are two players who could quite easily produce 20-goal seasons in the league alone and if they maintain this form, Celtic – who have scored four less than their Old Firm rivals so far – will simply have to find more sources of goals.