Chris Sutton thinks that following Rangers’ demolition of Hibernian on Wednesday, January 24, Celtic supporters will be in a panic.
The former Hoops hero and pundit acknowledged in his Daily Record essay on January 27 that the Parkhead supporters’ worry is a result of the Light Blues’ continued competitiveness in the Scottish Premiership title chase.
On their return to Scottish Premiership competition, Rangers defeated Hibernian 3-0 to win their fifth straight game and move to within five points of leaders Celtic (24 January).
And in contrast to Celtic’s difficulties at Easter Road earlier in the season, Sutton was impressed with Philippe Clement’s team’s performance there.
“I’d suggest a big part of any punter panic is due to the fact Rangers don’t seem like they’re going away,” Sutton wrote. Although Hibs aren’t very good, Philippe Clement’s team destroyed them in Leith earlier this season in a way that Celtic was unable to match. Four days after traveling to Aberdeen, Rodgers’ team returned there on Wednesday of that week.
“Celtic must get through this challenging time.” Continue applying pressure
As Clement watched his team maintain pace with Celtic at the top of the table, Rangers were extremely comfortable during the entire match at Easter Road.
However, considering the team’s past performance when returning from winter holidays, this victory and outcome are extremely impressive, and it just serves to highlight the influence the Belgian has had at Ibrox.
Players who have received a lot of criticism this season, like Yilmaz who also scored an impressive goal for the opening goal and Dessers who snatched a stunning goal, have demonstrated that impact.
Celtic are understandably under pressure from the advancements made throughout the city, especially considering the influence the Belgian has had since joining, and that pressure will only grow in the upcoming days and weeks.
Brendan Rodgers’ team had some unexpected outcomes prior to the new year, including as a 2-0 home loss to Hearts and a defeat to Kilmarnock, which undoubtedly exposed some serious weaknesses in their defense.
Under Clement, the Gers are winning those matches, which is undoubtedly sending some Celtic supporters into pre-panic mode.
Rangers’ only option is to keep winning and hope that their bitter opponents falter along the way, but Celtic has an advantage due to their intra-personal rivalry, which makes the Hoops seem unbreakable.
The outcome of their upcoming Old Firm match at Ibrox on April 6 could be crucial in the title fight, but it remains to be seen if Clement’s team will be prepared and able to prevail. As previously mentioned, all they can do is continue to win up until that point.
In other Rangers news, it’s said that negotiations to let another player leave Ibrox are almost complete.
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