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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Ewan Paton

Celtic tipped to reach 56 titles before Rangers by John Hartson

Celtic will lift their 56th league title before Rangers do. 

That's the viewpoint of former Hoops star John Hartson.

Should Ange Postecoglou's side defeat Hearts on Sunday afternoon, they will clinch their 53rd Scottish crown.

Rangers are of course out on front on 55 titles. But Hartson believes Celtic's dominance will continue well beyond this current season.

Speaking at his charity golf day, he said: "I actually think Celtic might get to 56 titles before Rangers.

"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.

"The gap between Celtic and Rangers right now is huge. Really huge.

"For me, Rangers are a long, long way behind. I think it could be lightyears before Rangers get back on top.

"Celtic are riding the crest of a wave just now and they 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.

"Celtic are so strong with their full-backs going forward to create an overload in the middle of the park.

"They have a striker who can come short or play in behind and there is a tremendous workrate in the team. Ange Postecoglou has it all in the palm of his hand at the minute.

"So if Celtic keep going as they are, I can see them dominating for a good few years. I 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."

On the Rangers rebuild ahead of Michael Beale, Hartson added: "I don't think he has done too badly since he's gone into Rangers.

"He's made a real fist of it in all fairness, putting together a good run with a lot of wins.

"They've been behind in games and shown character to fight back. So I think he has got something going there.

"But he's got one hell of a job on his hands to get anywhere near Ange and what he's doing. Ange reminds me of Martin O'Neill and the job he did."

John Hartson was speaking at his annual golf day. The Hartson Foundation has raised more than £1.2m for various cancer charities

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