Brian Laudrup reckons Rangers face a difficult summer transfer window but reckons his old club can take heart from Celtic's situation 12 months ago.
The Light Blues legend believes Giovanni van Bronckhorst faces the tougher recruitment job in the coming weeks ahead with Champions League qualification not guaranteed.
Rangers face two rounds of qualifying to reach Europe's elite competition while Celtic are already in the hat for the group stages after their Scottish Premiership success last term.
Calvin Bassey is attracting interest from a number of clubs while the likes of Ryan Kent, Alfredo Morelos and Joe Aribo are entering the final 12 months of their current deals.
Laudrup reckons Van Bronckhorst will have some tough calls to make.
Sign up to Glasgow Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox
But he's pointed to Celtic's 'utter chaos' last year in Ange Postecoglou's first summer in charge as a way of making things tick.
Writing in his Daily Mail column, Laudrup said: “The remainder of this window will obviously play a crucial role in determining which club ends up as champions next time round.
“One thing is already apparent. Rangers face a far more complicated window than their rivals.
“That doesn't have to be a barrier to eventual success, though. Just think back to the chaos we saw at Parkhead last summer.
"If you work smart, anything can be achieved.
“This time, Celtic undoubtedly start with certain advantages. Winning last season's Premiership means they have the stability of guaranteed Champions League income to financially support their plans.
“Also, the overhaul already undertaken has created a strong contract profile within their squad.
“They've still got some significant jobs to do - most pressingly in trying to persuade Jota to follow Cameron Carter-Vickers in returning - but Ange Postecoglou can look ahead with more certainty than Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
“At Ibrox, the budget could alter late on in the window if Van Bronckhorst is able to negotiate two rounds of Champions League qualifiers.
“Right now, however, there will have to be decisions about how far they can push financially.
“Retaining Connor Goldson was a massive boost and unquestionably solved one problem, but the fact Alfredo Morelos, Joe Aribo and Ryan Kent are entering the final 12 months of their deals is another complicating factor.
“If talks over extensions are fruitless, any bids received will have to be carefully weighed up against the on-field value of keeping them.
“All these variables make life a little tougher but, as I said, it's nothing compared to the situation around Celtic 12 months ago.
“There was utter chaos at Parkhead. A new manager came in quite late, having to reshuffle, get new players and sell others who were heading out.
“Despite all that, Postecoglou ended up doing extremely well.
"For Van Bronckhorst, I would regard this as the first real window. Before the underwhelming business in January, he had only been in the door a matter of weeks. Now, his management team have far more knowledge about the squad and can have far more influence on exactly what is needed.
"If the Champions League money was there, I'd be saying spend on a new striker after the injury problems witnessed last season and a new right winger for starters."
