JOHN Hartson has backed Celtic to dominate the Scottish Premiership for the foreseeable future and reach 56 league titles before their Glasgow rivals The Rangers do.
The Welshman is confident that the Hoops are riding a wave of success under Ange Postecoglou, who has already led the club to a league and league cup double last season and is on track to deliver a Treble this time.
Hartson believes the gap between both Glasgow giants is huge and that The Rangers are a long way behind their rivals.
He also believes that the Ibrox side are going to have problems replacing the likes of Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent in the summer, which will only add to the pressure on them.
The former Celtic striker is adamant that his former club has it all in their hands and will continue to dominate for a good few years to come. He even went as far as to suggest that the Hoops might even reach 56 titles before the Ibrox outfit.
John Hartson said: [Football Scotland]
“I believe the gap between Celtic and Rangers right now is huge, really huge. For me, Rangers are a long, long way behind.
“I know some people might disagree with that, but that’s just my honest opinion. I think it could be lightyears before Rangers get back on top. When I say that I’m talking about a good few years. I just think Celtic are riding the crest of a wave at the moment and have a style and system that works. Even the next manager who comes in, whenever that may be in one year, three years or five years, will continue to play the same way.
“The players have just bought into it so well. It’s a system being played right through the club from the academy to the first-team. And it’s a system that works. Celtic are so strong with their full-backs pushing forward to create an overload in the middle of the park. They then have a striker who can come short or play in behind.
“There is also a tremendous work-rate within the team with the players so determined to win the ball back whenever they lose it. Ange just has it all in the palm of his hand at the minute. Therefore if Celtic keep going as they are I can see them dominating for a good few years to come, I really can. I just can’t see anything changing.
“Rangers are going to move players on with the likes of [Alfredo] Morelos and [Ryan] Kent leaving in the summer. But there is no guarantee the ones who come in will be up to standard and can cope with the pressure.
“That pressure will only build now Celtic are winning everything. I actually think Celtic might get to 56 titles before Rangers do. All the talk was about the 55 under Steven Gerrard blah blah blah. But right now, when you look at the finances too, Celtic are in a great position.”
Celtic are so close to equaling their rival’s trophy haul, from both clubs, and could do so by the end of this season, and look to take over them next season.
