In a surprising turn of events, former Rangers player turned Sky Sports pundit Kris Boyd has finally conceded what many have long known: Celtic is the benchmark for success in Scottish football. Boyd, who has often been critical of Celtic in the past, couldn’t help but acknowledge the reality of the situation.

As he put it, “Far too often domestically, they [Rangers] haven’t been able to hit those heights week in, week out — and that’s why they have been miles off Celtic.” he told SunSport.

While Boyd’s admission may come as a shock to some, it’s a sentiment that many football fans have echoed for years. Celtic’s consistent dominance in the Scottish Premiership has been incredible, with the club winning 11 of the last 12 titles. Boyd’s acknowledgement of this fact is a clear sign that even the staunchest Rangers supporters can’t deny the truth any longer.

Boyd went on to draw a parallel between Celtic’s current status as the benchmark and the time when Martin O’Neill arrived at Parkhead and set his sights on overtaking Rangers. He said, “Celtic have to be the benchmark for the new manager — the exact same as when Martin O’Neill arrived at Parkhead and said Rangers were the target.”

It’s worth noting that Boyd’s admission may have come begrudgingly, as he acknowledged that some Rangers fans live in a state of denial, perpetually claiming to be the best in Scotland. However, the current league standings speak for themselves, with Celtic holding a seven-point lead over Rangers this season. To add insult to injury, Rangers are already searching for a new manager, further highlighting the challenges they face in closing the gap with their Glasgow rivals.

While Kris Boyd may have made these remarks through gritted teeth, his words serve as a stark reminder of the current footballing landscape in Scotland. Celtic’s consistency and winning habit set the standard others must aspire to reach. It’s a bitter pill for Rangers fans to swallow, but it’s a reality they can no longer ignore.