Terry Butcher’s Old Firm thoughts can very well be deduced in multiple ways.
Yet, it appears that the Rangers legend isn’t certain his former side can best their rivals in December.
In his Evening Times column, Butcher covered the previous Old Firm clash, and acknowledged Rangers’ strides this season. Everyone in the country would admit that Steven Gerrard has rebuilt this Rangers side in his own image.
Butcher was quick to praise the former Liverpool star for his early impact at Ibrox. That’s no surprise considering the England icon isn’t the first to jump on the Gerrard bandwagon.
But, despite acknowledging that Rangers will give Celtic a real game at Ibrox, Butcher stopped short of expressing his confidence that Gerrard’s men can snatch a win.
“Rangers are closer now than they have been in the last six or seven years. Yes, they are still a long way behind. But you can look at that and say: ‘Rangers have made big strides forward’.
“Steven will have learned a lot about himself, a lot about the level his team was at and a lot about where Celtic are. The big question for him afterwards would be how can Rangers get to that level very quickly.
“Having gone through it once, he will look forward to the next one on home so soil at Ibrox even more. To get to beat Celtic you have got to do something special. He will know that, but he will try to figure out how to do it.”
Rangers want to do more
Despite Butcher’s confidence that Rangers can give Celtic a game, they want to do more than that. It’s of vital importance that Rangers shake this Celtic monkey off their back.
Since coming into the Premiership, the Gers have now went two years without besting their rivals. That has to change this season under Gerrard, and many supporters believe it will.
Contrary to popular belief and Butcher’s words, it doesn’t necessarily take something special to beat the current champions. Hearts, Kilmarnock, and AEK Athens have all proved that this season, and there remains a vulnerability to Brendan Rodgers’ men.
Granted, however, Celtic remain a very solid side domestically. They seem to be getting back to something similar to their best, and gave Rangers a set-back at Celtic Park in September. Rangers fans should still be extremely confident of getting one over their rivals considering their Ibrox form however.
It’s sure to be a terrific clash when the Old Firm comes around at Ibrox in December. Of course, if both sides see off their Betfred Cup semi-final opponents, then they could meet in November at Hampden (or wherever the SPFL have planned for it).
Until then, December remains the next one, and Rangers have to make sure confidence remains high heading into it.
