Former Celtic manager John Barnes believes if Rangers win the Scottish Premiership title this season or next season, it would be a bigger achievement than the leagues the Bhoys have won of late.

Rangers were promoted back to the top flight in 2016 and have managed to close the gap on the Bhoys under Steven Gerrard this season.




The Gers won their first derby against Celtic in the league since 2011 before the winter break, and are level on points with the Hoops in the Premiership table.

Gerrard’s side are operating on a smaller budget than Celtic, but have recruited wisely and as well as pushing the Bhoys domestically, reached the group stage of the Europa League.
 


Former Celtic boss Barnes thinks that it was always going to be a process for Rangers to compete with their rivals.

“From where Rangers were, it takes three or four years back in the SPFL to be competing with Celtic”, Barnes told Express Sport.
 

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“Just because they got in the SPFL and they’re Rangers, doesn’t automatically mean they will compete because Celtic have better players and pay better wages.

“Over the last few years Rangers have improved, and now they’re improving even more."

And Barnes, who sat in the dugout at Celtic Park, feels that if Rangers win the title this year or next year, it will top Celtic's seven in a row.

“So for them to win it this year or next year, it would be a better achievement than the leagues Celtic have won.”

The Scottish Premiership is currently on a winter break and the league will resume in the penultimate week of January.