Bobby Williamson reckons Rangers boss Derek McInnes will have learned a painful lesson from his final-day title blowout with Hearts.
Title Collapse and Ibrox Switch
McInnes’ Jambos went into the final day top of the Premiership but their defeat at Parkhead handed Celtic the title. The experienced boss has now switched Tynecastle for Ibrox and will look to try and go one step better with Rangers.
McInnes had a slow start to life with the Light Blues but back-to-back derby wins over Celtic in the Premiership and Premier Sports Cup have put a very different perspective on their season. Celtic are still top of the table but Rangers are now just two points behind.
Learning from Experience
“It's very early doors,” Williamson insisted. "Look at last season, everybody thought Hearts were going to run away with it, but there were lots of twists and turns. Rangers got back in it under Danny Rohl and then fell away again at the split. Celtic managed to get there and go over the line because of Martin's experience and being over it before. He's been successful in Scotland and he knew what it takes."
“Maybe Derek didn't have enough in him just now to get Hearts over the line. But I'm sure he's learned and he will continue to learn quickly at Rangers. The painful experience of last season will stand him in good stead for this campaign and will motivate him to want to go on and win the title with Rangers.”
Derby Observations
The former Rangers striker is back in Scotland at the moment, promoting his new book ‘Out of Easterhouse’ - The Bobby Williamson story. Williamson was at Parkhead on Sunday to watch Rangers take all three points thanks to Ryan Naderi’s goal. The win was vital for Rangers and Williamson believes his old team had the best chances.
Williamson added: “I was at the game on Sunday. My big mate, big Gordon McClelland always invites me a lot to Parkhead for games when I am back in Scotland So I went along and, of course, the Celtic fans weren't too happy.”
The former Kilmarnock and Hibs manager admitted he wasn’t that impressed with the overall quality in the Glasgow derby.
He claimed: “I didn't think it was a great game, to be honest. I didn't think there was a lot of chances created. Probably the Rangers had a bit more of the chances, to be fair, and they got the goal. I thought they played okay They kept position quite well at times, but I've not seen a lot of creativity for either team.
“Wide players seem to be short on demand and creative midfield players. As I said, there wasn't really too much time to go.
I remember when I was playing, we used to get booed if we had four or five passes in our own half because the fans, that's the whole thing. The fans want to see the ball going forward. They want to see you putting pressure on the opposition, creating opportunities and trying to score goals. But now there is a lot passing it about at the back. “I don't find that too exciting at all.”
Out of Easterhouse - The Bobby Williamson story by Pitch Publishing is out now.
