Kenny Dalglish has praised the job done by Steven Gerrard in making Rangers a team capable of performing in Europe and for major honors but he still thinks they “have it all to do” to topple Celtic.
The Hoops have the chance to secure an historic tenth title in a row this year - a feat no other Scottish side has been able to pull off.
And while his former Liverpool captain has been backed by the board and worked diligently to make the Ibrox squad stronger, Dalglish still feels like wresting the title from Celtic's grasp will be a titanic task.
He told Go Radio : “I think Rangers have got stronger over the seasons since Steven has been there.
“They have supported Steven and he’s been able to invest money in a lot of players.
“He’s brought a few players in and the ones that he’s not been happy are starting to be moved out now.
“He’s certainly been given the support and Steven has reacted and responded by making them a lot stronger.
“In the Betfred Cup Final last year they were desperately unlucky not to beat Celtic.
“When you consider Morelos missed the penalty and Jullien scores with a header that could have been ruled out.
“It just tells you that you have got your disappointment and you can’t rest on that.
“You have to just go out the next week, roll your sleeves up and try again.
“And they are getting closer and closer to competing with Celtic.
“They still have it all to do because Celtic are fantastic and Lenny is doing a fantastic job second time around and they are going for another three trophies plus the cup ties from last year.
“They were unlucky to get knocked out of the Champions League but last year they had a great European run so both of them have represented Scotland well in the European trophies last year.
“Hopefully they can do the same this year.”
Dalglish knows the pressure of the Glasgow goldfish bowl all too well having taken over as caretaker boss at Celtic Park following the departure of John Barnes in 2000.
While he lifted the League Cup as manager, his side were very much second best to Dick Advocaat’s Rangers who were spending fortunes on players at the time.
And Dalglish reckons the size of Scotland’s bid two in relation to the rest means that there is always a winner and a loser in the PR stakes.
He said: “If you look there are two club sides that get all the publicity - Celtic and Rangers.
“One will be doing better than the other.
“So the one that is not doing so well will get crucified.”
