‘Better and better’: Paul Lambert says Rangers have made a super signing

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Celtic legend Paul Lambert believes Rangers may have pulled off an inspired signing with Tom Lawrence leaving Derby County for a fresh start at Ibrox, speaking to Sky Sports. 

There were just four points separating the two Old Firm rivals at the top of the Scottish Premiership table last season. And, if Rangers’ transfer business so far this summer is anything to go by, they and Celtic will be difficult to separate once again in 2022/23

Malik Tillman and Rabbi Matondo arrive at Ibrox with vast, if unfulfilled, potential. John Souttar was one of the finest centre-halves in the division at Hearts. And Antonio Colak was a prolific goalscorer on loan at Malmo.

Lawrence, however, may be the best of the lot. The former Derby captain arrives on a free transfer. And Lambert is well placed to judge, having worked with the Wales international during his time in the Blackburn Rovers dugout.

Who will be better in Scotland; Tom Lawrence or Aaron Mooy?

“I think the two clubs will be strong this year,” says Lambert, who won four Scottish Premiership titles either side of the millennium in green-and-white.

“Rangers have bought decently as well. Tom Lawrence is going there after doing well (at Derby). I had him at Blackburn. He was a good young player then and he’s gotten better and better.

“The league will go right to the wire. It’ll be close. Whoever wins the Old Firm games, that will be crucial to them. It’s two teams who will go for each other. Celtic have the Champions League which is going to be great for the club, but it will go the distance.”

Not to be outdone, Celtic are bringing in an experienced, international midfielder of their own. Aaron Mooy, once one of the Premier League’s most underrated playmakers, reunites with his former Australia boss Ange Postecoglou at Parkhead.

“Mooy was very good a few years ago I thought, when he was at Huddersfield,” Lambert says. “They’ve got a good one there, if he can perform the way he did.

“He’ll know the manager. One thing he’ll have to get used to is the Glasgow goldfish bowl, as they call it. If he can get used to that and knuckle down with it, he’ll be fine.”