Mark Hateley says there is no denying the 'gulf' between Celtic and Rangers at the moment and says it highlights the measure of the task facing Michael Beale.
Celtic are nine points ahead of their rivals heading in to the second half of the season with Ange Postecoglou seemingly on top in league and recruitment terms as Beale begins his tenure at Ibrox. The Hoops boss, however, revealed his non-concern for events on the other side of Glasgow and Hateley believes the Aussie is completely justified in his assessment.
Beale was unveiled this week as the successor to former coach Giovanni Van Bronckhorst and has many issues to address at Ibrox, but the BBC Scotland pundit believes the one that should take most precedence is the 'identity' Rangers want to create under him.
Sign up to Glasgow Live newsletter for more headlines straight to your inbox
He said on BBC Sportsound: "It's clear to see the gulf between the two teams. That is plain and simple. There's a step to go up but you would expect the kind of stuff that's been said by Michael Beale. But Ange is right, you concentrate on what you're doing.
"If you are doing your job right and your team are playing how you want, there's no complaint. You don't look over there. You can only influence what you do on the training pitch and whenever you're playing. Ange has done that very well.
"He has his players believing on what they'e doing and they have a terrific identity. It's completely diverse to what Rangers have right now. Now Michael Beale has come in and been tasked with giving the club on the pitch an identity."
READ NEXT:
- Ridvan Yilmaz talks Rangers future amid reports of transfer interest from Turkey
- Dave King will vote against Douglas Park at Rangers AGM and makes Steven Gerrard 'forced out' clai m
- Daizen Maeda and Josip Juranovic World Cup showdown as Celtic quartet reach last 16
