Ibrox side Glasgow Rangers are already seven points behind Celtic in the Scottish Premiership table.
John Hartson has told the Glasgow Evening Times that he felt it was always going to take a while for Glasgow Rangers to adapt to playing in the Scottish Premiership again.
Rangers returned to the top flight this season, but they have failed to challenge Celtic so far.
Rangers have already lost the Old-Firm derby at Celtic Park 5-1 and they currently sit seven points behind Brendan Rodgers’ side in the Scottish Premiership table.
It has been a tough start to the season for the Ibrox side, but Hartson feels that every Rangers fans needs to understand that it was always going to take time for them to compete again.
“I always felt it was going to take a bit of time for Rangers,” Hartson, who used to play for Celtic, said.
“I think it is only the sort of hardcore, blinkered fans, who can’t see outside of Rangers, who think that they can challenge, given the current qualities of the two sides.
“Rangers have got a good manager with a decent pedigree in Mark Warburton. They need to build on that. They cannot think of getting anywhere near Celtic at the minute, because it is just an impossibility. I think the game at the weekend is Celtic’s to lose.”
Rangers have won just four of their first nine matches in the Scottish Premiership, but they have improved recently.
Mark Warburton’s men have won three of their last four matches to start climbing up the table.
Rangers will have an opportunity to show how much they have improved at the weekend, when they take on Celtic in the Scottish League Cup semi-final at Hampden Park.
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