Kris Boyd has insisted the Premiership title door is open to Rangers, with Celtic under the constant threat of crisis.
The former Ibrox striker believes his old club are ready to push on after the international break, having put together an unbeaten 11-match run to move within four points of the champions, with a game in hand. Boyd thinks there is more to come from Rangers, while Celtic are heading into a difficult run of away fixtures against top-six rivals until the turn of the year.
Celtic's crisis mentality
Boyd said: “Celtic have been a team where you’ve felt a crisis is always around the corner. You can’t knock the fact they are four points clear, though, yes, Rangers have a game in hand. It was like the crisis button was pressed after Falkirk.
“But they found a way to win against Besiktas and again at the weekend. I don’t think it was a great performance but it was three points and that’s all that mattered for Celtic right now. Martin will be delighted to get that one over the line and keep the wolves away from the door for now.”
He added: “Every fixture is difficult but Celtic are making harder work of the games than they should be. Rangers are the team who struggled at the start but are now on an unbeaten run. Celtic usually blow teams away at home but that’s not really been the case this season.”
Managerial comparisons
Boyd compared Celtic boss Martin to Derek McInnes at the start of the season, saying: “Martin is probably where Derek was at the start of the season, trying to find a team he feels is capable of winning games comfortably. Derek was chopping and changing, Martin is doing that now. Martin has a striker who is under-performing (Kasper Hogh) and the wide players are not up to a level we’re used to seeing at Celtic in recent years. Martin is searching for a balance and he’s dealing with European football. He’ll be delighted with this break. It gives them a chance to reset before a difficult run.”
McInnes’s men have not lost in the league since August, but Boyd insisted the Ibrox gaffer will not be frustrated at the two-week lay-off for internationals.
Rangers' reset opportunity
He said: “No, I don’t think he will be upset about the break. Football is about momentum but you do need that break or reset to remind the players about the run they’ve been on and the difficult game against Motherwell they are coming back to.
“Derek has been away to top five or six teams plus Aberdeen as well, and they will now have them at home. If Rangers can go and win those games, Celtic will have to go away to these sides. It’ll be an opportunity to reset and remind them of the job they have done, but they are still four points behind with a long way to go.
“Enjoy the international break but come back ready to perform. You always feel the last international break to the one in the New Year is when the league starts to sort itself out. Derek will want them refreshed to kick on towards the festive period.”
Boyd was speaking at the announcement of William Hill as Official Sponsor and Proper Supporter of Walking Football Scotland.
