Celtic face Rangers in the Scottish Cup semi-final on Sunday.
Celtic defender Mikael Lustig believes rivals Rangers have a right to suggest they have closed the gap on the Hoops as the two teams gear up for the Scottish Cup semi-final, Sky Sports report.
The Hoops have won six consecutive Scottish Premiership titles – and they are within a matter of points of claiming yet another, as they currently hold a 13-point lead over Rangers with only five games remaining.
The Gers are the only club likely to be able to put an end to Celtic’s stranglehold over Scottish football, but they certainly have some way to go before toppling their Old Firm rivals.
Lustig, speaking to reporters ahead of the semi-final, suggests Rangers can sense the gap closing due to the difference in league points – but he was quick to point out his side are still on course for a domestic treble.
“They have been struggling a bit and they have tried everything to take new players in and make them a better team so of course it seems they have maybe taken a small step,” Lustig told Sky Sports.
“Last season, we were 30 points ahead of them and it is not that amount right now. If you look at it that way, they have maybe become a little bit closer but we have the chance to win a treble.”
While Rangers can have look to their own improvement in terms of making up 17 points on Celtic compared to last season, it’s worth considering the form of Brendan Rodgers’ men this time around.
Celtic haven’t managed to hit the heights of last term, losing their long unbeaten run, and there appears to be a hint of complacency about their play at times. Having said that, Rodgers’ side remain clear favourites for Sunday’s showdown.
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