Lee McCulloch has insisted Celtic are in need of a bigger summer transfer overhaul than Rangers and believes Steven Gerrard's side are not very far away from mounting a serious title challenge.
Celtic have clinched their eighth successive Scottish top flight league title this season and are certain to finish at least three points ahead of the Light Blues.
However, after suffering a 2-0 defeat at Ibrox in their last Scottish Premiership outing, Celtic have already started to plan for the future. Celtic manager Neil Lennon has acknowledged the need for an overhaul in the upcoming transfer window, irrespective of who is at the helm.
McCulloch, who served Rangers between 2007 and 2015, has warned Celtic of the upcoming challenges, claiming the Scottish champions need a bigger overhaul than the Gers to push for their ninth Premiership title in a row next season.
In his column for the Evening Times, he wrote: "Rangers have now what Celtic have had for the last three or four years and that is a bit of continuity in the squad.
"This summer, it is Celtic that are looking at the bigger overhaul rather than Rangers, who have had to do it season after season for a while now.
"Steven Gerrard, of course, needs new players to strengthen the team and the squad but it won’t be like we saw ahead of this season when he basically ripped it up and started again.
"If he can add the quality in the areas that he wants, Rangers won’t be far away.
"He already has the basis of a good side there and now the board need to back him to get the players that could make all the difference next season."
Celtic, who sit six points adrift of second-placed Rangers, host Hearts in their final Scottish Premiership game of the season on Sunday afternoon.
