Rangers must capitalise on European lull to chase Celtic lead
Rangers Given Clear Warning Over Celtic Title Race and McInnes Exploit Their European Advantage are the twin messages echoing through Ibrox as Derek McInnes’ side seek to narrow the gap on Celtic in the Scottish Premiership, but a recent slip‑up against Dundee shows consistency remains elusive.
European scheduling advantage
Rangers have no continental matches after their European qualifying campaign ended in a penalty defeat to Jablonec. Celtic, by contrast, face at least six more Europa League fixtures, beginning with Thursday’s home tie against Celta Vigo. Former Rangers midfielder Kevin Thomson argued that the lack of European commitments favours Derek McInnes’ side.
“The bit I think that favours Rangers, or it should, and there can’t be any excuses from a blue perspective, is they’ve not got Europe,” Thomson said on The Breakdown podcast. He added that playing before Celtic each week creates a psychological edge that could allow Rangers to put pressure on their rivals. The former midfielder also suggested that Rangers could field more players than Celtic in a combined Old Firm starting eleven.
Recent results widen the gap
The Ibrox side surrendered a lead to draw 2‑2 with Dundee on 17 October, missing a valuable three points. Celtic responded the following day with a crushing 7‑1 victory over Hearts, extending their lead to four points over Rangers. The result heightened pressure on Rangers ahead of Saturday’s home clash with St Johnstone.
Rangers have collected 20 points from nine League matches, comprising six wins, two draws and one defeat, while scoring 13 goals and conceding seven. Five victories in their previous six League games had strengthened their position before the Dundee draw interrupted their progress. The defensive record offers encouragement, yet the side still requires a more potent attacking threat against deep‑lying defences.
Saturday showdown could shrink deficit
A win against St Johnstone could reduce the deficit to a single point before Martin O’Neill’s Celtic travel to Hibernian on Sunday. Dropping points would waste another chance to narrow the gap and hand Celtic greater freedom in their upcoming fixtures. Derek McInnes must demand a convincing performance, clinical finishing and concentration until the final whistle.
McInnes has repeatedly stressed that consistency, not just the scheduling edge, will decide the title race. He knows that fatigue alone will not determine the outcome, even with the extra recovery time afforded by the European absence. McInnes also recalled the 3‑0 win over Celtic in the Premier Sports Cup on 13 September, a reminder of what the side can achieve. The manager’s task is to translate the advantage into results on the pitch.
In a discussion with former Celtic player Charlie Mulgrew, Thomson claimed he would pick more Rangers players than Celtic in a current Old Firm XI. The confidence reflects his belief in the squad’s individual quality. Such optimism underscores the perceived depth of Rangers’ roster.
Rangers must turn their scheduling advantage into a sustained title‑winning run if they are to overtake Celtic. Their next domestic performance will determine whether the psychological edge becomes a decisive factor in the Scottish Premiership race.