Iconic Kenny Dalglish has given Celtic a major edge going into a key summer for Rangers as he warned Michael Beale he MUST reach the Champions League promised land.
Ange Postecoglou's Scottish Premiership title winners have a reservation at European football's top table for the second consecutive campaign and the Australian could be given extra cash to splash this summer as he prepares to take on some of the elite clubs on the continent and build on their group stage showing last term. While the champions are looking to build while they are on top, across the city at Ibrox Beale has a major rebuild on his hands as he looks to bring the Scottish title to Govan once again.
Rangers will have to navigate the qualifiers to make a return to the Champions League group stage and repeat Gio van Bronckhorst's successful journey from last season. While admitting the Light Blues' priority will be dethroning Celtic next term, he insists that a run to the group stage could be key to catching their rivals by boosting the spending power on offer to Beale.
Writing for The Sunday Post, Dalglish said: "Ange Postecoglou will know that Rangers will improve next season and he will not be standing still. He will want better players to come in during the summer. Celtic will not rest on their laurels. I'm sure there will be a healthy transfer kitty for Ange to use if it's required.
"With Champions League riches assured for the new season, the Parkhead club can afford to recruit well. But finding the right types of players is never easy. There are no guarantees, regardless of what you have to spend. That's why Ange's knowledge of Japan and South Korea has been invaluable.
"He has signed players for bargain prices there. Rangers will also look to sign the best players they can. Michael appears to have identified several targets and wants them in time for pre-season. They do not have the luxury of going straight into the Champions League. They will need to play qualifiers and that will be very tricky. They managed to navigate their way through last summer when Giovanni van Bronckhorst was the manager and Michael will look to repeat that feat. Of course, the league will always be the priority and that's what Rangers will look to win."
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