‘Very, very poor’: Craig Beattie pessimistic over Glasgow Rangers title hopes going into Celtic clash

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Ibrox side Rangers go to Parkhead to face Old Firm rivals Celtic in Sunday’s Scottish Premiership derby.

Craig Beattie has claimed that avoiding defeat to Glasgow Rangers on Sunday should be enough for Celtic to all but secure the Scottish Premiership title once more.

The Ibrox side heads to Parkhead at the weekend to face the Hoops, hoping to secure a second consecutive victory over them following their 1-0 triumph at Ibrox in December.

Rangers are currently 10 points behind Celtic with eight games remaining this season, so although it’s not insurmountable by any means, it is a big ask, hence the opportunity presented to them to reduce the gap to seven this weekend.

Glasgow-born Beattie, who started his fledgling career with Rangers before being axed by Dick Advocaat and going on to Celtic (The Mirror), is pessimistic about Steven Gerrard’s charges embarking on a winning run, given their recent form, which included draws in their last two league games.

Nonetheless, the 35-year-old did not write Gers off entirely, suggesting that if they can get back-to-back wins, it would stand them in good stead ahead of the split, though he didn’t explicitly say they could get back in the title race.

“If you don’t lose, I think the title’s in the bag,” Beattie told Sky Sports News. “I don’t think Rangers can pick up anywhere near the amount of points to challenge, let alone go on and win the league.

“Rangers’ recent form has been very, very poor. What Steven Gerrard and Rangers have to do is try and put some good, quality performances together and try and get some back-to-back wins.”