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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Liam Bryce

Rangers rated 'stronger' than Celtic in key area as pundit's verdict defies Premiership table

Pundit Tam McManus reckons Rangers still have a stronger squad than champions-in-waiting Celtic.

The Record Sport columnist and former Hibs star insists there's a pattern in the sides' last two meetings that points to greater depth in Giovanni van Bronckhorst 's ranks.

A 1-1 draw between the Glasgow rivals on Sunday moved Celtic within touching distance of the Premiership title and a domestic Double, having already won the Premier Sports Cup.

However, Ange Postecoglou 's side lost out in extra time in a Scottish Cup semi-final epic in April, with Rangers besting their rivals over 120 minutes having also gone the distance against Braga in the Europa League two days earlier.

And on Sunday at Celtic Park, McManus believes the Ibrox side "pummelled" their hosts in the second-half, remarking that substitutions from the two managers had contrasting effects on their respective teams.

"I think Rangers have still got a stronger squad," McManus told PLZ Soccer. "Celtic are going to win the league but Rangers have a stronger squad.

" Celtic 's starting XI is probably stronger than Rangers' and that's borne out with results in the league.

"But it was the same in the semi-final, Rangers got stronger as the game went on with the subs they were bringing on. Celtic got weaker.

"There's still plenty of room for improvement in Celtic's squad. Their strongest XI, their starting team, is still more than a match for Rangers.

"But it was similar to the semi-final, Rangers were getting stronger and bringing better quality on. Celtic were getting worse and held on towards the end.

"Substitutions did influence the game and Celtic just managed to hang on towards the end, because Rangers were pummelling them.

"The last 15, 20 minutes they were going all out to get that winning goal. Celtic just managed to hang on for the draw."

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