John Hartson believes Celtic will beat Rangers to 56 league titles.
Ange Postecoglou and his troops can land the Scottish Premiership crown against Hearts at Tynecastle this weekend to make it back to back successes under the Aussie boss. That would make it No 53 for the Hoops meaning they would need another three more. They will still trail the Light Blues by two overall after Steven Gerrard won No 55 during his time at Ibrox.
After that title triumph and stopping the Hoops' league dominance it was hoped from the Ibrox support that they would kick on but Celtic came back with a league and cup double last season and are strong favourites to land a domestic Treble this campaign with the Scottish Cup Final on June 3 against Championship opposition in the shape of Inverness.
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Michael Beale is now the man in charge at Rangers and he faces a huge summer overhaul. Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent look on the way out while a number of decisions are to be made on other out of contract and fringe men on the books while they will be looking to bring a number of new faces to the club over the coming months.
But for Hartson, the Hoops hero believes the gap is 'really huge' and his former club are 'riding the rest of a wave' as he waxed lyrical over the current crop. He believes the current style can have his former club dominating for years to come and in doing that he has backed them to get to 56 titles before their Old Firm rivals.
He said: “I believe the gap between Celtic and Rangers right now is huge, really huge. For me, Rangers are a long, long way behind.
“I know some people might disagree with that, but that’s just my honest opinion. I think it could be lightyears before Rangers get back on top. When I say that I’m talking about a good few years. I just think Celtic are riding the crest of a wave at the moment and have a style and system that works. Even the next manager who comes in, whenever that may be in one year, three years or five years, will continue to play the same way.
"The players have just bought into it so well. It’s a system being played right through the club from the academy to the first-team. And it’s a system that works. Celtic are so strong with their full-backs pushing forward to create an overload in the middle of the park. They then have a striker who can come short or play in behind.
"There is also a tremendous work-rate within the team with the players so determined to win the ball back whenever they lose it. Ange just has it all in the palm of his hand at the minute. Therefore if Celtic keep going as they are I can see them dominating for a good few years to come, I really can. I just can’t see anything changing.
“Rangers are going to move players on with the likes of [Alfredo] Morelos and [Ryan] Kent leaving in the summer. But there is no guarantee the ones who come in will be up to standard and can cope with the pressure.
“That pressure will only build now Celtic are winning everything. I actually think Celtic might get to 56 titles before Rangers do. All the talk was about the 55 under Steven Gerrard blah blah blah. But right now, when you look at the finances too, Celtic are in a great position.”
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