Ibrox side Glasgow Rangers already trail Celtic by eight points in the Scottish Premiership this season.
Charlie Nicholas has told Sky Sports News, which was broadcast on 7th December, that Celtic’s defeat against Glasgow Rangers in the cup last season helped them to push on.
Celtic were beaten on penalties by Rangers in the Scottish cup semi-final last term, and that defeat was a major reason behind why Ronny Deila lost his job as Celtic boss.
The Bhoys turned to Brendan Rodgers to guide them forward, and since the Northern Irish manager has come in – the Bhoys have been much improved.
Celtic are unbeaten in domestic competition this season, and they have already beaten Rangers twice.
And Nicholas believes that Celtic had got lazy, due to the lack of competition, but their defeat against Rangers last term was a wake up call.
“It’s been lazy and sluggish for five years until Brendan turned up,” he said. “It was only when Rangers beat Celtic in the Scottish cup semi-final that the owner got embarrassed.
“He’s come and changed it. His demands are high and his standards are high.”
Celtic already have an eight point advantage over Rangers in the Scottish Premiership standings, and they have three games in hand over their Glasgow rivals.
The Ibrox side have struggled to keep pace with Rodgers’ men, and it already appears certain that Celtic will win their sixth league title in a row.
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