Ibrox side Glasgow Rangers finished 39 points behind Celtic last season.
Lee Wallace has told The Glasgow Evening Times that he is under no illusions over the task of Rangers usurping Celtic as Scotland’s top dogs, but claims it has to be the aim nevertheless.
Rangers are gearing up for their second season back in the Scottish Premiership and those affiliated with the Ibrox club will be desperate to see an improvement on last term.
Under Mark Warburton for much of the campaign, the Gers finished third and 39 points behind Celtic, who won a sixth successive Premiership title and two other domestic trophies in an invincible treble success.
Rangers boss Pedro Caixinha has brought in nine new faces, compared to the Hoops’ three, and they should, in theory, be a little bit more competitive than they were last time around.
“It has to be that way,” he told The GET when asked if his team-mates could realistically challenge Celtic.
“That never changes. It has always been the mindset in the seven years that I have started a pre-season. We knew at the lesser levels that winning the league would be more achievable, but in the top flight that has to be the aim. It cannot be anything other than that.
“We understand the realism of the challenge, but we will not change or deviate from how we will approach every game. We want to win every game and every tournament that we enter.”
Caixinha’s side face Motherwell at Fir Park on Sunday, while Rodgers and co begin the defence of their crown at home to Hearts on Saturday.
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