Kris Boyd says Rangers will feel the full force of pressure once the World Cup break that comes into place this month is over and done with - but Celtic hold the title race key for now.
The former striker has been left disappointed with recent results at the Ibrox club, who have fallen four points behind Celtic in the Premiership title race. St Johnstone are the opposition this week as they look to shake the shackles of a terrible Champions League campaign that saw them finish bottom of Group A with no points and the tag of 'worst ever team' after a goal difference of -20.
It's brought heat to manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst but Boyd believes that while displays haven't hit the required heights, it's when injuries begin to clear in December. He told OLBG : "If you're in charge of a big football club then you're always going to be under pressure to get results and there's no hiding place from the fact that the performances haven't been up to the standard that fans expect.
READ MORE: Allan McGregor and the Rangers breakfast he arrived at dressed as a Smurf after Tenerife night out
"That's where the frustration is coming from. The next phase of Giovanni van Bronckhorst's Rangers career is crucial because there are no distractions now in terms of Europe.
"Domestic results are all that matter so Rangers are going to have to start winning games of football and playing in a manner that the fans are happy with.
"It's imperative that Rangers get nine points from the next three games and then once everyone is back in December is when we'll see the real pressure."
Celtic currently lead the way in the title race and where they hold an advantage is in their strength in depth, according to Boyd.
He added: "There's no doubt that every result Rangers have picked up, bar the recent win against Aberdeen, has been a grind to get the three points but they've managed to do it.
"You have to give credit for finding a way to win games of football as well. Rangers are lacking that creativity and the level of goalscoring but when you look at Rangers' attacking players there are probably a good few that will put their hands up and say that they can do a lot better and if they can find that going forward then things should be ok.
"Tom Lawrence has been a big miss but one player shouldn't be the be-all and end-all for a big football club and that's where, at this moment in time, Celtic hold the upper hand."
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