Confident Kris Boyd has backed Rangers to reclaim the Scottish Premiership trophy this season as he insists Celtic will struggle to handle both domestic and Champions League action.
However, fellow pundit Andy Walker has named Ange Postecoglou's side firm favourites as he played down the seven new additions at Ibrox following the departure of key men Joe Aribo and Calvin Bassey. The Glasgow giants are set to battle it out for the league title once against when the action gets underway this weekend with both sides coming into the campaign full of confidence.
Rangers impressed as they reached the Europa League Final and Gio van Bronckhorst ended the season with his first piece of silverware as Ibrox boss lifting the Scottish Cup at Hampden. Celtic boss Postecoglou enjoyed a dream debut season in Glasgow's east end as he dragged the Parkhead side from a season of turmoil to becoming Scottish champions once again, while picking up the Premier Sports Cup along the way.
The title success means the Hoops go straight into the Champions League group stage this season, and Boyd reckons that could be a major issue for the club this season. The Ibrox hero told Sky Sports : "There was not much between Rangers and Celtic last season and it will be another close-run title race this time around.
"Ange Postecoglou has added to his squad and secured the permanent signings of Jota and Cameron Carter-Vickers, who were excellent last season. However, being champions brings added pressure and every team will be out to frustrate Celtic.
"Nobody expected Celtic to hit the levels we saw last year. It was a fantastic turnaround from where they found themselves - but the fans will demand they perform in Europe too.
"It's a balancing act Celtic have had to contend with in the past, but the Champions League group stages are a massive step up from the Europa Conference League and for that reason no one will be surprised I have them as runners-up."
But Walker firmly backed Postecoglou to keep the Scottish crown at Celtic Park this season. He answered: "I think Ange Postecoglou's side will finish top again because they are more settled than Rangers.
"It was good business to get Jota and Cameron Carter-Vickers to commit to the club on a longer-term basis and there have been some new players arrive too, creating that extra competition for places. I think Celtic have spent really well and got their business done really early.
"It will be a close title race and Rangers will no doubt be looking to strengthen further. I think Celtic have enough to retain the title."
The former Celtic hero also reckons it will take time for the new Rangers recruits to settle in, and question the depth of the squad assembled this season. He went on: "I am expecting to see a bit of change from Rangers who have brought in Ben Davies, Ridvan Yilmaz, Rabbi Matondo, Antonio Colak, Tom Lawrence, John Souttar and Malik Tillman.
"These are players who Giovani van Bronckhorst will be hoping can make the difference, but I just think Celtic will be more consistent. Rangers did not lose many league games last season, just three, and two of them were against Celtic, so they are not going to lose a lot of games, but I do not think they have the strength in depth to finish top of the table."
However, in contrast reckoned Rangers had upgraded the squad from last season. He said: Rangers had that little period last season where they dropped off and got punished for it, but they have shown they can compete and beat Celtic.
"I think Rangers are a stronger team now than they were last season, there is competition for places and some exciting players in the squad."
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