Kenny Dalglish insists Rangers are getting within touching distance of Celtic under Steven Gerrard.
The Ibrox club were unable to stop their rivals winning Nine in a Row last season despite a strong start to the campaign.
And all eyes are on the Light Blues once again this term to see if Steven Gerrard's men have what it takes to overhaul the Parkhead club.
But Dalglish insists Rangers have improved each year under Gerrard and are getting 'closer and closer' to competing with Neil Lennon's men.
The Liverpool legend believes their performance in the Betfred Cup Final, where they narrowly lost out the Hoops, shows the gap is now smaller.
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 says it's also inevitable one of the Glasgow clubs will be 'crucified' if they're not performing or their rival is doing well.
There's no middle ground for either of them and that's just the nature of the beast.
He added: “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.”
