Rangers and Celtic are locked on 42 points at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
Pierre van Hooijdonk has been quoted by the Daily Record as saying that Celtic must invest this month if they are to stave off the challenge of Steven Gerrard’s Rangers in the race for the Scottish Premiership title.
The Teddy Bears moved onto level points with Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic on December 29, with their first Old Firm win since returning to the top flight of Scottish football in 2016. Ryan Jack’s goal proved the difference at Ibrox.
Celtic remain favourites to win the league, after completing a double treble over the past two seasons. They also have a game in hand over Rangers, with the second half of the campaign getting underway this weekend.
Ex-Celtic striker van Hooijdonk, who remains an icon at Celtic following his two-and-a-half-year stay at Parkhead between 1995 and 1997, reckons investment is needed or Rangers have a chance of winning the title.
“They’re still top of the league but I think they realise now that they’ve really got a competitor with Rangers,” van Hooijdonk said. “There have been some injuries and also losing some players in the beginning of the season and the question you can ask is ‘Did they bring in the players who can step in these boots?’
“The performances dropped. In the last seven years I’ve never seen Celtic dropping so many points in the first part of the season. One game in hand, still a lot of games to play and you want to have a big quality squad. That will win you titles.
“When the manager is looking for players then you should definitely back him. Especially someone who has done so well for Celtic for some years.”
Celtic have brought in three new players this month, with loan deals secured for PSG’s Timothy Weah and West Brom’s Oliver Burke – while Vakoun Issouf Bayo has joined for around £2million.
Meanwhile, Rangers have also been active. Veteran stars Jermain Defoe and Steven Davis have joined the club on loan deals, while pre-contract agreements have been made with Jordan Jones and Glen Kamara.
Rangers and Celtic return to action this weekend, with the Gers facing a trip to Scottish minnows Cowdenbeath while Celtic play host to Airdrieonians in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup.
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