Rangers take on Celtic at Ibrox next weekend, in the first Old Firm derby of the season.
Pundit Michael Stewart has told The Scottish Sun that he has been impressed with Rangers new boys Alfredo Morelos and Daniel Candeias so far this term – but isn’t sure Rangers have really closed the gap to Celtic.
The Gers drew 2-2 away at nearby Partick Thistle on Friday night, with Morelos once again getting his name on the scoresheet in what proved to be a disappointing night for Pedro Caixinha’s men.
It’s now 11 points taken from six league games for Caixinha, who heads into a huge week, given that Rangers host Old Firm rivals Celtic at Ibrox next weekend.
The last meeting between the two sides, back in April, saw Celtic claim a 5-1 victory at Ibrox, and Rangers subsequently embarked on a summer of spending to try and catch their fierce rivals.
Caixinha was able to bring in 11 new signings over the summer, with Transfermarkt setting their spending at almost £9million, having brought in Bruno Alves, Fabio Cardoso, Declan John, Ryan Jack, Graham Dorrans, Carlos Pena, Aaron Nemane, Daniel Candeias, Dalcio, Eduardo Herrera and the aforementioned Morelos.
Results have been patchy so far for Rangers this season, and with Celtic top of the table once again, some may fear that nothing has really changed at the summit of Scottish football.
Ahead of next weekend’s Old Firm derby, pundit Michael Stewart has spoken to The Scottish Sun about Rangers’ transfers, naming just two players who have impressed him so far – the prolific Morelos and winger Candeias, who reunited with Caixinha having worked with him at former club Nacional.
Stewart added that Caixinha now needs all of his new signings to impress against Celtic in order to prove that the gap between the two clubs really has closed, rather than the Bhoys just romping to yet another league title.
“Morelos has shown what a difference it makes when you have someone who can put the ball in the net,” said Stewart. “And the one new boy who has impressed me the more I have seen of him is Daniel Candeias.”
“But this week more than any other Caixinha needs all of his new boys to deliver. If they do there might be enough to suggest the gap between Rangers and Celtic has in fact closed. But if they fail to produce the goods it’s going to get harder for the Gers boss to protest otherwise,” he added.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
