Rangers legend Barry Ferguson is sure that the Gers will know Celtic will spend money to strengthen in the summer and feels that the Ibrox outfit will need to bring in three to four top quality players to make sure they compete.
Steven Gerrard’s men have all but fallen short of the title race in Scotland after sitting 11 points behind Celtic with just five games remaining this term.
The Gers were level on points with the defending champions during the winter break in December, but their inconsistent performances since the turn of the year have amounted to a serious downfall.
As such, Celtic have capitalised and are well on course to lift their eighth consecutive league title and potentially secure a treble treble at the end of the season.
On the other hand, Rangers will now be eyeing preparing for a big summer transfer window that could make or break their next campaign.
And Ferguson feels that Rangers must bring in at least three or four players to match Celtic in the upcoming season and admitted the Bhoys will also loosen their purse strings in the summer.
“I think there is no doubt in my mind that Celtic are going to strengthen [their squad] in the summer”, Ferguson said on the PLZ Soccer show.
“I think they are going to go out and spend the bit of serious money they have in the bank, and Rangers will know that.
“For me, I still think Rangers are three or four quality players away from being a real challenge now [to Celtic], whether Steven Davis and Jermain Defoe stay next year.
“I think now you are starting to see the best of Steven Davis, he is starting to get a bit of game time, hopefully he’s going to be at Rangers next season and Jermain Defoe you know what you’re going to get from him."
The former Gers skipper also stressed that Rangers must try and secure a permanent deal for Ryan Kent, who is currently on loan from Liverpool, in a bid to further strengthen their position.
“Ryan Kent, for me, Rangers have got to try and pull out all stops, whether Steven Gerrard can get a favour of Liverpool, he has got to be a major signing [in the summer]", he added.
Rangers return to action in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday, when they face Hearts at Tynecastle.
