Hibs boss Lee Johnson has queried whether Ange Postecoglou will start to find Scottish football "too easy" as he discussed the competitive gap in the cinch Premiership.
The Easter Road boss set the question as he claimed only the arrival of a sheikh at a Scottish club could break the dominance of Celtic and Rangers.
Celtic are on course to claim a second successive title under Postecoglou having only dropped five points from 29 games so far and Johnson wonders how the Australian regards the competition.
He said: “If I was Ange, I’m thinking to myself at what point does it get too easy, almost?
“I know that sounds bad, but you know generally if your boys are on it; listen - top manager, top club, top way or working, top philosophy but their challenge would feel like Europe and competing in the Champions League.
“It’s up to clubs like us to make sure that when we do turn up at Parkhead that they are frightened of us more than they are at the moment.”
Johnson admitted he has been shocked by the gap between the Glasgow rivals and the rest of the Scottish Premiership clubs.
The Leith club are some 33 points adrift of second place Rangers, while the Ibrox club are 28 better off than nearest challengers Hearts.
Johnson was taken aback by the difference in the league having felt it was much closer during his time as a player in Scotland.
However, now, Johnson reckons the only chance for clubs to topple Celtic and Rangers from the top spots is through a wealthy owner.
He said: “If some sheikh comes in and takes over one of the clubs, there is always that potential, isn’t there?
“Historically the Old Firm have always whipped away the best players from the rest, which is always a clever tactic because not only are you enhancing yourself, you’re decreasing the quality of the opponents.
“I suppose the dreamer in me says we can but the realist in me knows how difficult it will be to infiltrate that.
“Certainly cups, individual games, the starting point is so make sure you're more competitive in those individual games.
“It’s been done in the past, all the leagues over the world there are shocks, a Leicester for example when they won the premier League and it can happen.
"We have to strive for better and challenge and not just expect that to happen year on year.”
