Livingston boss Davie Martindale has had his say on the present Rangers v Celtic debate and he is well placed to offer an informed opinion having faced both sides in their last two Premiership games.
Whilst his men took a point at Ibrox last week, Livi had no response on Sunday going down 0-3 against Celtic, with the visitors also missing a penalty.
The league table, nor the form guide, lies.
Rangers are playing catch-up in more ways than one with Ange Postecoglou’s team setting the pace. That sentiment is shared by Martindale who feels that there is a current gap at the top of table, effectively evidenced in the difference in Livi’s last two games and the respective challenges posed:
“Celtic, Celtic (they are the difference) at this point time. I am not going to say are a far better team than Rangers, they are in a far better place as a team, in terms of momentum and confidence.”
“I think the league is Celtic’s to lose, I think we were coming up against a better opponent, I don’t mean that disrespectful to Rangers, I think we were coming up against a different opponent today.”
Challenge
Martindale is a straight-talker who tells it as it is. Although it’s not pleasant from a Rangers perspective, it’s difficult to contest his assertion on the Old Firm race just now and any potential title race.
Rangers will have to show consistency and quality in order to bridge the current gap. It is not insurmountable but the Parkhead team find a way to win when it matters. They are the current title holders, whilst also benefiting from a four point gap at the top. Unlike Rangers, they have room for error, if that is to follow.
Livingston came to Ibrox last week with a game plan and executed it well. They fancied their chances of taking points and came very close to securing a win. At home to Celtic on Sunday, they couldn’t find the answers.
Over to you, Gio and Rangers.