NafisaRangers’ preparations for another huge Old Firm showdown have been given an extra edge after former Ibrox favourite Greg Stewart delivered a brutally dismissive verdict on Celtic’s chances of finishing above his old club.
With Rangers preparing for a seismic double-header against Celtic, the stakes could hardly be higher. Derek McInnes’ side first face their Glasgow rivals in the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final before travelling to Celtic Park for a league meeting the following Sunday.
And while Celtic currently hold the advantage in the Premiership table, Stewart has made it abundantly clear that he is far from convinced that the reigning champions will remain there.
The former Rangers man was a guest on Open Goal when host Si Ferry put him on the spot with a loaded question.
Ferry asked whether Rangers or Hearts would finish second behind Celtic this season.
Stewart’s response was anything but what was expected.
“For second? Celtic.”
The answer immediately sparked a reaction from Ferry and co-host Paul Slane, while former Rangers midfielder Andy Halliday also praised Stewart for his response.
But the 36-year-old was not finished there.
Stewart went on to deliver an even more emphatic message about Celtic and Rangers’ respective chances, backing his former club to beat their fiercest rivals and insisting that there is no reason why McInnes’ side cannot go on to win the Premiership.
“Rangers will win the Old Firm on Sunday. How can they not win the league? They are starting to pick up, I don’t see, right now, how they can’t win it. What is it, five points? I don’t think we’ll lose (at Celtic Park), it’s only five points mate.”
Those comments are particularly eye-catching given the difficult start Rangers experienced under McInnes.
The Gers were dumped out of Europe and have endured periods of inconsistent form, leaving questions over whether they have enough to mount a serious title challenge.
But Stewart believes the situation is changing.
Rangers have now put together a three-game winning run, and that momentum could hardly have arrived at a more important time.
The Ibrox side are currently five points behind Celtic after seven league matches, meaning the upcoming trip to Celtic Park could have a significant impact on the title race.
A Rangers victory would dramatically reduce the gap and potentially give McInnes’ men the belief that Stewart already appears to possess.
There is also the small matter of the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final to come first.
That encounter gives Rangers an opportunity to strike against Celtic before the two sides meet again in the league, setting up an intriguing fortnight for both clubs.
For Celtic supporters, Stewart’s comments will certainly make uncomfortable reading.
Not only has the former Rangers title winner predicted his old club to beat Celtic, he has effectively dismissed the idea that Rangers should be viewed merely as challengers chasing second place.
Instead, he believes Rangers can go all the way.
Stewart knows exactly what it takes to win the Premiership with Rangers, having been part of Steven Gerrard’s team that romped to the title in 2021 and ended Celtic’s hopes of securing a historic tenth consecutive championship.
Now he sees similarities in the possibility of Rangers once again overturning an early deficit.
The pressure, however, will remain firmly on McInnes and his players to turn that confidence into results.
Celtic have the advantage in the table and will be determined to protect it, while Rangers know that failing to take points from the upcoming Old Firm clash could make their title task considerably harder.
Stewart, though, appears to have made his choice.
He believes Rangers will win at Celtic Park, avoid defeat against their rivals in consecutive weeks and ultimately finish the season as Scottish Premiership champions.
For a player who has already experienced the feeling of winning the title at Ibrox, that is quite some statement — and one Celtic supporters will undoubtedly have noticed.
Nafisa
