The still-considerable gap between Rangers and Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership table suggests that the team on the blue side of Glasgow still have a long way to go.
But if their last three Old Firm showings are anything to go by – two wins by an aggregate score of 6-2 and an unfortunate penalty shoot-out defeat in the League Cup final – the gulf in class may not be quite as un-bridgable as some have suggested.
For the second time since the turn of the year, Rangers defeated Celtic in Premiership action. OK, Sunday’s dramatic victory at Parkhead – a win secured by Hamza Igamane’s ‘phenomenal’ late strike – might not have been as one-sided as that 3-0 trouncing on their first outing of 2025.
But as Rangers roared into a two-goal half-time lead at a ground in which they had not tasted defeat since the Steven Gerrard era, you would not have guessed that 16 points were separating the two sides before kick-off.
Rangers told they must sign a midfielder despite Nico Raskin and Mohamed Diomande form
Former Rangers forward Gordon Dalziel thinks the San Francisco 49ers takeover could be a massive step towards returning the boys in blue to the summit of Scottish football.
It would certainly give Nils Koppen – who’s record in the transfer market so far has been pretty impressive – an influx of funds with which to strengthen the weakest parts of an uneven squad.
Midfield reinforcements do not seem quite so necessary on paper. Not with Nico Raskin ‘in the form of his life’, Connor Barron revitalised and the mercurial Mohamed Diomande blossoming in a more advanced role.
Rangers also have 18-year-old Bailey Rice making waves behind the scenes. Lyall Cameron will arrive from Dundee over the summer.
But, while both Diomande and Raskin got themselves on the scoresheet at Celtic Park, Mark Wilson still cannot shake the feeling that this is side missing a top-quality number ten capable of providing a reliable link between an aggressive, well-balanced midfield and Igamane or Cyriel Dessers up top.
“In terms of Raskin, he’s added goals and he’s running forward but he’s never going to be that ultimate creative player,” argues Wilson, who won three Premiership titles across the city with Celtic. “And I think that the shape Rangers are deploying, they are seeing the best of Diomande.
“But I still think, in the summer if they have got any money to spend, [the attacking midfield role] is somewhere they will need to invest in.”
Ianis Hagi and Tom Lawrence could both leave Ibrox
Ianis Hagi has been one of Rangers’ best performers since returning to selection in the Autumn. Yet, he is out of contract this summer. As is the injury-prone Tom Lawrence. Nedim Bajrami has faded after a bright start.
Furthermore, while Ferguson’s team excelled away from home at Celtic and Fenerbahce, they remain as vulnerable as ever when pitched against teams happy to defend deep and hit on the counter. Lest we forget, it is less than two weeks since Motherwell ruined Ferguson’s Ibrox homecoming.
If Rangers are to really challenge in 2025/26, they cannot afford to keep dropping points against Motherwell, St Mirren, Kilmarnock and Dundee.
“I know they’ve got Hagi. Tom Lawrence, I don’t think has been the answer,” Wilson adds.
“If they want to challenge Celtic and they want to dominate the midfield area, they need a proper number ten to help out Diomande.”
