Rangers hero Kris Boyd has officially written off the Ibrox side’s hopes of challenging Celtic for the Scottish Premiership title this season.
The outspoken former Ibrox hitman has also claimed that far from be in a trophy fight with their eternal Old Firm rivals, Rangers are in a battle for second place with stuttering Aberdeen.
The claims come after the Dons drew 3-3 with relegation-threatened Hibs in an enthralling midweek encounter at Easter Road.
Third place Rangers find themselves nine points off Aberdeen in second, with the Gers now having a game in hand in the Scottish Premiership.
Celtic are also threatening to go way out in front, with the Parkhead side two points off the Dons and 11 ahead of Rangers.
Kris Boyd reckons the gap is already insurmountable as he took aim at Clement’s flapping team.
’Rangers in battle for second with Aberdeen’
“I think you write off Rangers mounting a title challenge this season,” Boyd told Sky Sports. “It’s been really, really poor so far.
”The first 45 in Saturday was as bad as I’ve seen, albeit the second half there was opportunities created and they might’ve nicked it.
”But I think overall a draw was a fair result against Dundee United but that’s where Rangers are at at this moment in time. It’s been poor.
”If there is anybody still speaking about a title challenge in Scotland, there’s absolutely no chance.
”Rangers have got a fight on their hands with Aberdeen to finish second, who obviously lost at the weekend, a point last night.
”But from Rangers’ point of view they need to just worry about themselves and pick up performances.
”Their performances need to get better and start picking up three points on a regular basis because it’s not been good enough.”
Kris Boyd: things must change on pitch for Rangers
Rangers could not take advantage as Jimmy Thelin’s rejuvenated Aberdeen side stumbled to a first defeat of the season against St Mirren at the weekend.
That result meant Rangers could go within six points of the Dons but the Gers’ drab 1-1 draw with Dundee United ensured they only gained a point on their rivals.
Rangers have since appointed Patrick Stewart as the club’s new CEO but there is still a long way to go at Ibrox both on and off the park.
Kris Boyd touched on the welcome ‘stability’ of the new Rangers appointment but claims that ultimately, things won’t change at Ibrox until it gets better on the pitch.
”It’s not going to be easy,” said Boyd. “For Rangers there’s a little bit of stability there now going forward.
”Once (Patrick Stewart) starts on the 16th of December, there is a little bit of stability there now and see where it takes Rangers.
”But the thing is, Rangers have got to get better on the pitch.”
