John Barnes believes Rangers boss Steven Gerrard needs time to catch Celtic

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Barnes managed Celtic during the 1999-2000 season.

Former Celtic manager John Barnes has told BeIN Sports that he believes Steven Gerrard and Rangers are three or four years away from challenging Brendan Rodgers’ side for the title.

Since gaining promotion back to the Scottish Premiership, Rangers have failed to stop Celtic winning the treble in both 2016-17 and 2017-18. In 12 matches between the two sides, Rangers have failed to win once.

Barnes managed Celtic during the 1999-2000 season and is regarded as one of the worst Hoops managers in history, being sacked in February 2000 after a loss to Inverness in the Scottish Cup.

Former Liverpool star Barnes believes Gerrard needs time and the expectation on his shoulders is not as great as fans are intelligent enough to understand that it may take three or four years before they can properly challenge Celtic.

“It’s sink or swim,” Barnes said. “It’s an unforgiving environment. When I went up there, Celtic were much closer to Rangers; they were Champions and had much more money. But the demands to win were far greater.

“Rangers fans understand that it may be three or four years before they have the financial cloud to challenge Celtic. Rangers is equally a big a club as Celtic. In terms of the players and the salaries, Celtic are streets ahead.

“Rangers fans are intelligent enough to know that we have to give Steven time. They have to show progress; which they are doing. It’s a very difficult environment.”

The Old Firm enemies have already met once this season, with Rodgers coming out on top in a 1-0 win at Parkhead thanks to a second-half strike from Olivier Ntcham.

Both Celtic and Rangers are in action in the Europa League group stage on Thursday evening, with the Hoops playing host to Norwegian outfit Rosenborg while Gerrard’s Rangers have travelled to Spain to face Villarreal.

Rangers currently sit on eight points from five league games in fourth, while Celtic are two points ahead in second. The Hoops face a difficult test away to Kilmarnock on Sunday, while Rangers host Tommy Wright’s St. Johnstone.