Glasgow Rangers have threatened to close the gap, but perhaps next season could be the Ibrox side’s best chance to overthrow the champions.
There may no longer be any discussion regarding whether there is a title race in the Scottish Premiership this year, but it was not too long ago that Rangers appeared to be one win away from giving themselves a chance of setting up a battle with Celtic.
Ultimately, the Hoops would quash any hope Graeme Murty’s men had of really igniting a title race, but the Light Blues certainly gave them a good scare at Ibrox before Odsonne Edouard scored a brilliant winner for Brendan Rodgers’ men – who played most of the second-half with 10 men and demonstrated their class and resilience to come from behind on two occasions.
The win may have ensured that the title is, once again, heading to Parkhead, but it certainly hinted that Rangers do have the potential to close the gap further. And perhaps in light of three recent transfer rumours, it may be fair to say that the Gers’ best chance to surpass Celtic may come as early as next season.
The Scottish Sun reported that Scott Sinclair is now keen to move back to the Premier League after two successful seasons with the Hoops, while the Daily Record has suggested that Manchester United are planning to step up their interest in Kieran Tierney, and the same report claimed that a move away for Moussa Dembele may also be on the cards.
In the unlikely event that Celtic lost Sinclair, Tierney and Dembele in the same summer, it would put a huge amount of pressure on Brendan Rodgers as they have been three of his most important players since he arrived in 2016. Even Sinclair, who has been well short of his best, would be a big loss.
Celtic will undoubtedly have the kind of transfer budget that Rangers could only dream of if they sold the trio. But it is one thing having the money, it is another being able to spend it on the right players.
The Hoops’ transfer record during the last two windows is mixed. And while they may have the funds to attract players of the highest quality, actually getting them through the door may come down to more than money, and that may present Rangers with an opening.
If Rangers can get everything right in the summer and Celtic do lose the trio, the Gers have every chance of ending Celtic’s hopes of 10 in a row. And who knows what could happen after one year of the tables being turned?
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