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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Robbie Copeland

Kenny Dalglish urges Rangers caution as Celtic hero convinced Ryan Jack return could ignite Ibrox title spark

Kenny Dalglish has refused to pick a winner in the Premiership title race despite his old team Celtic gaining the initiative.

But he has hinted the return of Ryan Jack to the Rangers midfield could help Gio van Bronckhorst stop the recent downturn in form in his bid to bring the title back to Ibrox.

Wednesday's victory sent Celtic back to the top of the tree as Ange Postecoglou's side were rampant at Parkhead.

It's the green and white corner of Glasgow with the momentum now ahead of a huge Sunday for both sides and Dalglish reckons Postecoglou has done a fantastic job in turning things around so quickly.

However he's urged his old team to be cautious as the race still stands on a knife-edge with just one point in it.

He wrote in his Sunday Post column: "Steven Gerrard had been given three years at Ibrox to win the Premiership, and I felt Ange had to be shown the same patience – and given the same backing at Parkhead – as Steven was afforded across the city.

"Eight months down the line, nothing has been won yet in terms of the Premiership title. But Celtic are clearly in a good place.

"I was at Celtic Park on Wednesday night and the hosts fully deserved their victory to go top of the table.

"However, it’s still very, very close, and I wouldn’t necessarily say the Hoops have the edge just now. They are just a single point ahead of Rangers, and there are still 14 games to go and 42 points up for grabs."

Perhaps the only minor positive Rangers can take from their derby day thumping was Ryan Jack coming through 45 minutes unscathed.

He made his long-awaited return against Livingston a week earlier and the signs are there that he may have a major role to play in Gers' title hopes.

And Dalglish reckons his return to prominence could be just what Rangers need to pull themselves together after a run of just one win in four league games.

Dalglish added: "It is far from over, and Rangers will not give up their title easily.

"They will be hurting after that defeat, and Giovanni van Bronckhorst was clearly taken aback by the manner of it.

"The Light Blues have dropped seven points since the January break, so they must quickly shake off their winter blues.

"Giovanni will have learned plenty in the adversity of the midweek hammering about his players, and it will be interesting to see his team selection for the game against Hearts.

"The return of Ryan Jack against Celtic was a positive, and he will improve the team. He is a leader, and must start today (against Hearts)."

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