New Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has enjoyed a strong start to life at Ibrox.
Jackie McNamara has told Talksport that failing to qualify for the Champions League group stages would be a massive blow for Celtic – especially with Rangers starting well under the management of Steven Gerrard at Ibrox.
Two games into the new season it is Rangers who lead the way in Glasgow – sitting a point above their Old Firm rivals in the Scottish Premiership table.
And a bad week for Celtic will be compounded if the Bhoys fail to overcome AEK Athens in Greece tonight (Tuesday).
Asked if his old side’s failure to progress would be a ‘disaster’, McNamara replied: “It’s a massive blow.
“I think the last couple of years have been great, although the teams they’ve played and they’ve come off with a lot of heavy defeats. But the Champions League, it helps the whole club, it helps Scottish football as well.
“Rangers have started well under Gerrard, he’s addressed the defensive problems right away, and I felt that was something Celtic had to do from last year.
“Rangers have done it straight away. They’ve got in the two centre-halves, a strong midfield and the spine of their team, whereas Celtic haven’t addressed it.”
Rangers have made 11 new signings and counting this summer, whereas Celtic have made just three – two of whom were on loan at Parkhead last season.
After selling Stuart Armstrong to Southampton, the Bhoys are understood to have missed out to Aston Villa on potential replacement John McGinn.
And Brendan Rodgers’ side could also find their defensive options depleted with Dedryck Boyata strongly linked with a move away.
Should Celtic be worried by Rangers under Gerrard?
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