Hibs manager Nick Montgomery has been left in no doubts that Rangers – and not Old Firm rivals Celtic – are the best team in Scotland this season.
The English manager, to his credit, has sought to go toe-to-toe with Rangers in all four of the meetings between the Gers and his Hibs side this campaign.
Having been unable to lay a glove on Rangers in any of the match-ups, following a 3-1 Hibs defeat at Ibrox Nick Montgomery had heaped praise on Philippe Clement’s side.
Nick Montgomery hails Rangers “quality”
In comments which are sure to curry little favour at Parkhead, Montgomery was talking ahead of one of the most hotly anticipated Old Firm matches in a generation.
Rangers are set to welcome Celtic to Ibrox this coming weekend with this the final time the famous ground will be full of only bluenoses for the fixture.
With the two sides striking an agreement for 5% away allocations from next season – and another Old Firm to come at Celtic Park after the split – the stage is set for Rangers to take charge in the title tussle.
If you ask Nick Montgomery who has the edge between the two teams, the Hibs manager appears to have settled on Rangers.
“They’re a quality team,” said Montgomery. “For me right now, they’re probably the best team in the competition and they’ve got some quality players.”
Can Rangers live up to Old Firm hype v Celtic?
Whilst it is refreshing to hear an honest rather than tribal appraisal coming from Easter Road, what Nick Montgomery has to say will have little bearing on this coming weekend.
Rangers, Philippe Clement, and several members of that Ibrox first-team squad have plenty to prove against Celtic having succumbed to two defeats this season.
Despite that, the Gers have the advantage in the title race, if not the lead in the table, with victory over the Parkhead side potentially setting the club up to go five points clear with six games to go.
Of course any win this weekend must be followed up by a supplementary performance in Dundee but before any focus is put on Dens Park, Rangers have got to take care of business.
The Old Firm high-noon showdown is almost upon us.
We wonder if Nick Montgomery will be proved right come the final whistle.
