Rangers are level on points with Celtic in the Scottish Premiership.
John Barnes has told the Express that he believes a Rangers title win would eclipse a Celtic treble win, because of how far the Gers have had to come to finally compete with Brendan Rodgers’ side.
Steven Gerrard’s men finally beat Celtic in the Scottish Premiership for the first time in six years, winning 1-0 at Ibrox thanks to Ryan Jack’s first-half goal that deflected past Craig Gordon off of Scott Brown.
The win saw Rangers climb onto 42 points in the league, level with Celtic. If Rangers had lost the match, they would have gone six points behind with Celtic still boasting a game in hand.
Ex-Celtic manager Barnes says if Rangers do finish above Celtic as champions come May, then that achievement would be bigger than his former side completing eight league wins in a row – and a potential ‘treble treble’.
“From where Rangers were, it takes three or four years back in the SPFL to be competing with Celtic,” Barnes said. “Just because they got in the SPFL and they’re Rangers, doesn’t automatically mean they will compete because Celtic have better players and pay better wages.
“Over the last few years Rangers have improved, and now they’re improving even more. So for them to win it this year or next year, it would be a better achievement than the leagues Celtic have won.”
Rangers could find they have an advantage after being knocked out of the Europa League, with Celtic still in the competition after qualifying for the last 32 – where they face Spanish outfit Valencia.
Both sides are enjoying a well-deserved break at the halfway-point in the 2018-19 campaign, but return to action in just over a fortnight when Rangers play Cowdenbeath and Celtic take on Airdrieonians in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup.
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