Kenny Dalglish admitted he was “a wee bit surprised” Rangers failed to add anyone before the transfer window closed.
And he believes the business conducted by rivals Celtic will ensure the Scottish Premiership title race is much closer than last season’s 25-point gap.
Dalglish’s verdict comes despite Steven Gerrard’s champions drawing first blood with a weakened side in last week’s Old Firm derby at Ibrox.
The Scotland and Hoops legend reckons the dozen new Parkhead recruits will see Ange Postecoglou’s men mount a more serious challenge for Scotland’s top prize.
And he offered special praise for final addition Cameron Carter-Vickers who was brought in on loan from Spurs.
Dalglish, writing in his Sunday Post column, said: “I was a wee bit surprised that Rangers didn’t bring in one more player during the transfer window.
“Listen, it was great that they kept the likes of Alfredo Morelos, Nathan Patterson, Joe Aribo, Borna Barisic and Ryan Kent, players who are known to have their suitors elsewhere.
“But striker, Cedric Itten, and central defender, Nikola Katic, left on loan. So maybe Steven Gerrard would have liked another body in to add to his squad?
“It was a lot busier across the city, where Celtic rounded off their business by adding Georgios Giakoumakis, Jota and Cameron Carter-Vickers on the final day. All three look the part, and will increase the quality in the squad.
“I watched Carter-Vickers in action for Tottenham’s reserves in a game against Liverpool and he looked an excellent professional. His attitude was spot-on.
“The day before, he had been an unused sub for the first team, but still travelled to Merseyside in an exemplary frame of mind.
“All in all, if you look at where Celtic were six weeks ago to where they are now, they are clearly in a better place.
“The league games between Celtic and Rangers are usually decisive, but we will see if that remains the case come May.
“For me, it is going to be tight. There will not be 25 points between the sides after 38 games as there was last season."
Celtic also boosted the club’s coffers by flogging Odsonne Edouard and Ryan Christie who joined Kris Ajer after the Norwegian headed to Brentford earlier in the window.
Dalglish said: “Celtic sold Odsonne Edouard to Crystal Palace for around £15 million. That was a good cheque to get for a player who wanted to leave.
“Ryan Christie, meanwhile, moved to Bournemouth for around £2 million. Normally, he would have commanded a much-higher fee, but he only had five months to run on his contract.
“So, again, the Parkhead club have used the market to move on players to the best of the club’s ability.
“In this calendar year, Celtic sold six or seven players and they have brought in around £45 million.
“They also allowed Leigh Griffiths to leave, on loan to Dundee, and it will be interesting to see what kind of campaign he has at Dens Park.”
