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    “It is a kind of Catch 22,” Interim Rangers chairman on chasing dominant Celtic

    David FauldsBy No Comments5 Mins Read

    Interim Rangers chairman John Gilligan admits theRangers are chasing Celtic. The concerning thing for Gilligan is that Celtic are gliding away…

    John Gilligan, Dave King and Paul Murray pose for media following being voted on to the Rangers board at the extraordinary general meeting at Ibrox on March 6, 2015. Shareholders at the meeting called by Mr King, who owns 14.5% of shares in Rangers International Football Club plc, voted Derek Llambias and finance director Barry Leach off the board. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

    On the park, Celtic are light years ahead of their rivals. Unbeaten in five Glasgow Derbies, you would have to go back to August 2021 the last time Rangers meaningfully beat Celtic in a league match. If you want to measure post 2016, Celtic have won a remarkable 19 domestic trophies out of a possible 24.

    Celtic’s record breaking trophy haul

    That includes five Trebles and two Double winning seasons. Should Celtic win the Scottish Premiership this season they would have won 13 out of the last 14 league titles. There is no sign of these record breaking trophy haul stopping any time soon.

    Off the pitch it is equally as good for the Hoops. Last week, Celtic announced a record turnover for season 23/24 of £124.6m, with profit before taxation sitting at £17.8m. Celtic currently have £77m in cash reserves sitting in the bank. The financial disparity between the two sides is on a different stratosphere.

    Not stupid enough to say otherwise

    Gilligan told the press yesterday that, “sometimes we are ahead, sometimes Celtic are ahead. At the moment we are chasing. There is no argument there, I am not stupid enough to say otherwise.”

    The gap will only get bigger. This comes as Champions League prize money increased this season. It is a realistic prospect that Celtic will reach the top 24 and play double digit games amongst Europe’s elite. Celtic are on course to bring in over £60m in Champions League revenue this season.

    Despite spending £33m in the summer transfer window [an all time spend], Celtic made a profit. The initial £26m sale of Matt O’Riley to Brighton with a future £4m in add ons saw Celtic break the Scottish transfer record for a player sale.

    Wrong to assume this time around it is cyclical

    Celtic v theRangers –  Callum McGregor scores Celtic’s third goal of the game during the Scottish Premiership match at Celtic Park on Sunday September 1, 2024. Photo Steve Welsh

    Gilligan is wrong to assume this time around it is cyclical. Maybe in the 1980s and 90s John, but not in present times. Recent history spells bad news for theRangers. What is their strategy? Hope Celtic have a similar season like they did in 20/21? That is not sustainable.

    Celtic’s hierarchy learned from their complacency and wrongdoings after the COVID season. theRangers stood still, then regressed. For now, it looks like there is no way back, certainly in the short-term.

    It is a kind of Catch 22

    Celtic v theRangers –  Callum McGregor celebrate scoring Celtic’s third goal of the game during the Scottish Premiership match at Celtic Park on Sunday September 1, 2024. Photo Steve Welsh

    Gilligan added, “player trading is the biggest success and qualification for the Champions League. It is a kind of Catch 22 – player trading gets you income, Champions League gets you income. When you fail to get it it is difficult because Scottish football’s level of support, TV, sponsorship, you just can’t compare it to England’s. So, it is always a challenge, of course.”

    Celtic have mastered player-trading

    Celtic v theRangers –  Brendan Rodgers and Philippe Clement on the touchline during the Scottish Premiership match at Celtic Park on  Sunday September 1, 2024. Photo Steve Welsh

    The issue for theRangers is that Celtic have mastered player-trading. Celtic have assets all over the pitch. Success in the Champions League this season will further inflate players value. It also means that Celtic can move on from the £1-2m bracket players to the £7-8m more ambitious signings. Guarantee players permanent Champions League, exposure on TV against the world’s best which can result in a money spinning move to the English Premier League. Repeat. There are too many examples to list off but that is how Celtic operate.

    The Hoops are dominating domestically

    Celtic v theRangers – Celtic Park Fans hold up a Let Celtic Flourish banner during the Scottish Premiership match at Celtic Park on Sunday September 1, 2024. Photo Steve Welsh

    The Hoops are dominating domestically, in Europe the tide seems to be turning. The gap on and off the pitch after this season will only significantly increase again. Long may it continue.

    Conor Spence

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    Founder and editor on Celtic Shorts and publisher on dozens of top quality Celtic books including those on celticstarbooks.com. Publisher on The Celtic Star ahead of its sale. Earliest Celtic memories are a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email me if you'd like to get involved. editor@celticshorts.com

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