Ahead of a huge double header for Rangers, Andy Halliday believes the Ibrox side could soon have one hand on the Scottish Premiership trophy.
The ex-Rangers midfielder was speaking ahead of the Ibrox side’s crucial back-to-back clashes against Celtic and then Dundee.
If the Gers are to be victorious in both matches, they will establish a five point lead in the Scottish Premiership with six games to go.
With only 18 points to play for, Andy Halliday reckons such a gap would be insurmountable for Celtic, branding this the “biggest 14-day period Rangers have had domestically for a long, long time”.
Andy Halliday in Rangers title prediction
Speaking on Clyde Superscoreboard, Andy Halliday was asked about Rangers’ title hopes in the events of a double victory over Celtic and Dundee.
The midfielder was clear that if Rangers can establish a five-point lead, he believes the title is within the Ibrox side’s grasp.
“I believe they will (win the title) if they go five points ahead by next Wednesday,” said Halliday.
“Purely because in the timescale we’ve seen since Philippe Clement’s come in the door, Rangers have only dropped points to Celtic at Celtic Park, a draw against Hibs, and then a defeat to the mighty Steelmen at Ibrox.
“It’s been a large period of games. You’re asking then Rangers to drop points in two more games and Celtic to be perfect from now until the end of the season.”
Sunsport pundit Roger Hannah then added that if Rangers are to beat Celtic and then Dundee, the title is the Ibrox side’s “to throw away”.
Philippe Clement to make big impact?
Interestingly, both Andy Halliday and Roger Hannah were asked about how big an achievement a Philippe Clement treble would be at Rangers.
The Belgian manager joined a Rangers squad in disarray in October following the sacking of Michael Beale.
Since then, Clement has lifted the League Cup and turned a seven point deficit into a potential five point lead, with the Scottish Cup semi-final on the horizon.
Roger Hannah, who has seen it all in Scottish football, reckons that if Clement lands all three trophies it’ll be the biggest managerial impact the nation’s game has ever seen.
“If you’re saying Philippe Clement can win a treble within seven months of taking the job,” started Hannah. “That would be probably the biggest impact of any newcomer to Scottish football management in history.
“But it remains a very big if because the last time Rangers beat Celtic in a league game that mattered, Filip Helander scored the goal.
“It seems a long time ago. Rangers can beat Celtic on Sunday and I think they’ll need to beat Celtic on Sunday if they’re going to win this league title.”
Rangers and Celtic go head to head at high-noon at Ibrox this Sunday and here are the five biggest on-pitch duels which could decide the game.
