Monday night’s discussion on Superscoreboard sparked debate ahead of this weekend’s League Cup Final, with Andy Halliday and Roger Hannah clashing over the growing financial and footballing gulf between Celtic and Rangers.
Halliday, a former Rangers player, suggested the disparity between the two clubs might not be as significant as many believe, saying: “When he comes up against Celtic at the weekend, I don’t think they’re worlds apart.”
This view came in response to recent comments by Rangers boss Philippe Clement, who highlighted the budgetary differences between the clubs, a narrative that Halliday appeared to downplay. However, Roger Hannah offered a contrasting perspective, one that strongly supports Clement’s concerns about the gap between the two Glasgow giants.
Hannah argued: “I think, at the minute, they are worlds apart, to be perfectly honest with you, because Celtic, in the last accounts, have what, £77 million in the bank? Rangers didn’t. The gap between the wage bills is probably widening with each season.
“Celtic, the other day, had two players they signed in the summer—one is £11 million [Arne Engels], and another player they brought in for £9.5 million [Adam Idah]—both sitting on the bench. That’s over £20 million in talent on the bench.
“Rangers, meanwhile, were bringing their wage bill down in the summer, hence the departure of players like Conor Goldson.”
Gordon Duncan, the host, noted that Rangers had been reducing their spending from a position where Rangers wage bill was larger than Celtic’s. Hannah doubled down, adding:
“I think it’s getting wider and wider, though [the gap]. And I think Philippe Clement is right in what he said. Rangers fans don’t like to hear it, but he’s right. When Celtic go shopping in any transfer window, they’re looking at a different level of player compared to Rangers now.”
While Hannah overstated Engels’ role in Celtic’s recent match against Hibernian—he started rather than being on the bench—the broader point about Celtic’s financial muscle remains. Brendan Rodgers’ side sit eleven points clear of Rangers in the league and are undefeated in Scottish football this season.
Sunday’s League Cup Final at Hampden promises to be a firey affair, but the strange comments from the Ibrox manager feel almost defeatist. Celtic’s strong financial position is because they have been run well for over two decades on the domestic front while Rangers throw the kitchen sink at Celtic to try and leave a mark.
As the first piece of silverware for the season hangs in the balance, the debate over budgets and footballing quality will not be the talk in the national stadium on Sunday.
