Charlie Nicholas has predicted an abysmal year ahead for Rangers as the pundit's pre-season predictions forecast a trophyless season at Ibrox.
The former Celtic star reckons Giovanni van Bronckhorst and his players will finish the season empty handed on the domestic front. He insisted the Premiership title will remain at Celtic Park, backed Aberdeen to lift the Premier Sports Cup and tipped Dundee United to mount a surprise charge to Scottish Cup glory under Jack Ross.
That means there was no room for the Ibrox side on his expected end-of-campaign honours list, with all three major trophies going elsewhere. Nicholas does believe Rangers have strengthened this summer but his predictions reveal he expects their season to be a catastrophe.
He wrote in his Scottish Daily Express column: "I think Celtic ’s squad is stronger. Rangers have some good young players coming through but they are unknown and we will need to see how they develop.
"I said at the end of last season that I felt Rangers needed seven signings. They are now on the verge of that and van Bronckhorst shared my view and knew what the problem was. When they get Ridvan Yilmaz in from Besiktas, the Rangers manager has said that will be his final signing.
"I still think he has business to be done. Rangers need to sign a goalkeeper. I look at Rangers and I said when they won the title a couple of seasons ago that Allan McGregor’s time was up.
"I don’t see McGregor playing at all other than the Premier Sports Cup. I think it will be Jon McLaughlin unless they bring in another keeper.
"Rangers certainly have a lot more strength and depth compared to last season outfield. I think they can cover as many positions as Celtic although their bench isn’t as strong. That and the goalkeeping department is where Celtic have the edge and why I think the Premiership trophy will remain at Parkhead this season."
On the Cup front, Nicholas has thrown his weight behind two new winners. He's been impressed by Jim Goodwin's Dons and thinks they can claim the first trophy of the campaign to bounce back from a dismal 2021/22 season - and he also expects Dundee United to click under new manager Ross and clinch a stunning Scottish Cup success.
Nicholas said: "I expect a big improvement from Aberdeen this season and I can even see them lifting the Premier Sports Cup. I do think Jim Goodwin will rise to the challenge and get a real turn out of Aberdeen.
"I think they could be challenging Hearts for third spot. He has brought in a lot of players and spent money. Aberdeen have done well in the group stages of the Premier Sports Cup and now they have to transfer that into the league.
"Goodwin will know if he doesn’t start the campaign well then the pressure will be on. A club the size of Aberdeen can’t have another season like last time out. The manager has been backed and I really do think you will see a very different Aberdeen team this season.
"I am also looking forward to seeing Dundee United. I think Jack Ross is a good fit for them. It might take him a wee while to get his team sorted but I can see them coming good later in the season and winning the Scottish Cup.
"This could be a really good season if some of the managers would take off the chains and stop worrying about their jobs. I know it is easy for me to say that.You have to be prepared to go for it. What is the point in parking the bus against Rangers or Celtic?"
