Barton comments on gap between Celtic and Rangers; questions Rodgers

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Suddenly Celtic are no longer looking unbeatable in the Scottish Premiership with Old Firm and Glasgow rivals Rangers rising fast.

If Joey Barton is still bitter about the way his short-lived spell at Rangers came to a tumultuous end, he is not showing it with his latest comments on the Old Firm divide.

Celtic still look set to cruise to another league title, sitting nine points clear of the Gers. But Brendan Rodgers’ side have dipped alarmingly in comparison to last season, with the home draw against St Johnstone on Saturday the latest disappointing performance from the reigning champions.

While Celtic are a shadow of the team that swept aside all before them last season, Rangers are steadily improving with a number of impressive new signings bolstering Graeme Murty’s squad.

And Barton believes the gap between Celtic and Rangers is starting to close.

Bubble burst?

“Give Rangers a bit of credit, they’re catching Celtic, they’re only nine points behind them now,” Barton told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast on talkSPORT, broadcast at 6am (19^th February).

“With Celtic drawing yesterday against St Johnstone, has the Brendan Rodgers bubble burst?”

Of course, Rodgers will more than likely end this season with a second successive Scottish Premiership title on his CV. But Celtic are no longer looking like an unbeatable force and, in fact, have only won two more league games than Rangers all season.

Nonetheless, the Gers have a lot to do if they are to pave the way for a title race in Scotland for the first time since 2012.

But with a promising young manager at the helm, and an improving squad blend of exciting talents and proven experience, this is the strongest Rangers have looked since their demotion to the fourth tier six years ago.