Alex Rae reckons Rangers have turned the tables on Celtic thanks to a complete in-house refit under Steven Gerrard and Ross Wilson.
The former Ibrox title winner says the Hoops are in disarray and have been left trailing in Rangers ’ wake thanks to a role reversal in club structures.
Rae has been blown away by the job Gerrard has pulled off in rebuilding the squad, backroom staff and scouting network with the support of the board and in particular ex-chairman Dave King.
And he reckons that backing would have continued even if Celtic had hit their 10-in-a-row target last season thanks to the new structure in place in Govan.
He said: “Go back to 2015 and Dave King said the next five or six years this would be the model.
“I think they were building up a squad of players that had some value. There’s half a dozen players who could go for substantial money now.
“I think there will be a lot more trading as opposed to the board finding that money.
“Players will come and go and that will allow them to go and recruit others.
“Three years ago Rangers never had an infrastructure.
“When Steven Gerrard came in he must have stepped back and thought ‘what a job this is’.
“Thankfully he took it on. There’s been a lot of coming and going with players and some worked, some didn’t.
“Celtic don’t have their troubles to seek. They are struggling and when you look at when Steven came in three years ago Celtic’s infrastructure was very good.
“They were in a healthy position but now it almost looks like it’s roles reversed.
“They look like they are in a bit of disarray, struggling to get players in and they have a manager who wasn’t first choice.
“Celtic will worry about their side of the street but, as I said, Rangers are in a very good place.
“Ross Wilson gives them that structural organisation which was needed.
“You look at the youths and Nathan Patterson coming through. Other youths will see that pathway.
“So I think the structure at Rangers throughout the whole club is healthy.”
Alfredo Morelos and Glen Kamara are among the top assets attracting attention from far and wide this summer.
And while Rae acknowledges the need to cash in if the price is right, he reckons the club is in a far stronger position to hold out for top dollar.
He said: “We have this every year with Morelos being linked to moves.
“The club have been quite strong. There was a substantial bid last summer and I’d expect the same.
“I would like to see these guys stay because it would help Rangers retain the title.
“The only concern right now would be Connor Goldson because he’s in the final year of his contract.
“It’s not a business model where they let players run down their contracts. He has been outstanding and is a leader.”
Alex Rae was speaking at the launch of 'Going for 55', the story of Rangers title victory and 10-year journey back to the top. Written by Christopher Jack it is available now priced at £17.99. For more information, visit: www.polarispublishing.com
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