Confident John Hartson has insisted Celtic are on course to lift 56 league titles before Rangers because of a "really huge" gap between the sides.
Ange Postecoglou will keep the Scottish Premiership title in the Celtic Park trophy cabinet if he can secure one more win before the end of the campaign – with the Hoops holding a 13-point lead over Rangers going into the post-split fixtures. A win on Sunday over Hearts would secure a 53rd league championship for Celtic – but the Ibrox side would remain two ahead in the overall tally having claimed title number 55 under Steven Gerrard back in 2021.
With Postecoglou on the brink of a Treble this term Hartson reckons the gap is so big between the two sides that he can see no reason that Celtic won't keep lifting league titles until the 2025-2026 - which would see Rangers record total surpassed. The Welshman said: “I believe the gap between Celtic and Rangers right now is huge, really huge. For me, Rangers are a long, long way behind.
“I know some people might disagree with that, but that’s just my honest opinion. I think it could be lightyears before Rangers get back on top. When I say that I’m talking about a good few years. I just think Celtic are riding the crest of a wave at the moment and have a style and system that works. Even the next manager who comes in, whenever that may be in one year, three years or five years, will continue to play the same way.
"The players have just bought into it so well. It’s a system being played right through the club from the academy to the first-team. And it’s a system that works. Celtic are so strong with their full-backs pushing forward to create an overload in the middle of the park. They then have a striker who can come short or play in behind.
"There is also a tremendous work-rate within the team with the players so determined to win the ball back whenever they lose it. Ange just has it all in the palm of his hand at the minute. Therefore if Celtic keep going as they are I can see them dominating for a good few years to come, I really can. I just can’t see anything changing.
“Rangers are going to move players on with the likes of [Alfredo] Morelos and [Ryan] Kent leaving in the summer. But there is no guarantee the ones who come in will be up to standard and can cope with the pressure.
“That pressure will only build now Celtic are winning everything. I actually think Celtic might get to 56 titles before Rangers do. All the talk was about the 55 under Steven Gerrard blah blah blah. But right now, when you look at the finances too, Celtic are in a great position.”
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