Former Rangers star Charlie Adam says he can sum up their season in one word but that they can't find the same level as 'ruthless' Celtic.
The former Ibrox star believes new Light Blues boss Michael Beale - who has six league games unbeaten during his tenure so far - needs time to match Ange Postecoglou's men. The two shall meet in the Viaplay Cup final next month after battling to a 2-2 draw at Ibrox earlier this month but nine points remains the stronghold Celtic have over their rivals.
Adam believes that he can review Rangers campaign so far in just one word, and that across the city it has been a very different picture.
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He exclusively told Ladbrokes: Fanzone: "There's one word to describe Rangers so far this season, and it's 'inconsistent'. Inconsistency has been the key. They were brilliant in Europe to a certain point last season, and the Champions League was a tough journey for them this time out.
"They were in a really difficult group but you've got to look at the manner of those defeats and while Giovanni van Bronckhorst did a good job in getting them to that cup final last season, and the Champions League, it didn't end well for him. When you look at their performances in the league, it's more of the same: inconsistency. Performances have not been at the level we've come to expect from them.
"Fans will have expected them to fly out of the traps early this season and have a go, but we've just not seen that. Ange Postecoglou has got Celtic in a great position; some of the stuff they've played over the last two seasons has been exceptional, and if there's one word you can associate with them this season, it's 'ruthless'.
"They've just found another level, time and time again, Even if it's scoring goals in the last few minutes to turn one point into three, it's something Rangers haven't had."
But the former Dundee star also believes Beale is on the right track to get Rangers back to winning ways.
He added: "Things have changed in the dugout at Ibrox now and Michael has obviously come in... they're starting to look a little more like their old selves. Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos seem to be getting back to their best, and the team managed to get to another cup final last weekend.
"That's where they want to be, winning trophies and clawing things back to how they were a couple of years ago. It's a huge job, it's a lot of pressure, but Michael knew that when he took the job on.
"He knew the situation, and I think if they can get a couple of signings in between now and the transfer window closing, then we'll see... anything can happen in the rest of the season. Celtic are in the driving seat at the moment, but these things can change quickly in football."
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