McLeish: Celtic handed ‘boost’ in title push as Rangers in ‘turmoil’
Alex McLeish has suggested Celtic will use Steven Gerrard’s exit from Rangers as fuel for their title push.
The former Gers and Scotland manager, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, admitted the “turmoil” at Ibrox could give the Bhoys a “wee boost” over the coming weeks.
Gerrard left Rangers for Aston Villa last week (11th November), with the Light Blues sitting top of the Premiership table.
Celtic sit four points behind their Glasgow rivals after a stop-start beginning to the season.
However, McLeish admitted things are “looking rosier” for Celtic.
He suggested Gerrard’s departure would give the Bhoys a shot in the arm in their bid to topple Rangers from their perch.
McLeish told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “I think things are probably looking a bit rosier at Celtic. It is looking rosier going with the recent results.
“The players seem to have got into Postecoglou’s strategy. Now, when something like this comes around, people wonder will Celtic take a boost from this as well?
“Rangers have got a wee bit of turmoil in between Steven leaving and getting a new manager. It can make a difference in terms of some points that may be lost in between.
“I think that’s the kind of vision that perhaps Celtic would be thinking. Postecoglou will probably use it in a certain way, for team talks or whatever.
“But his focus will be on the progress that they have made under him. It’s relentless, it doesn’t stop, it’s got to be juggernaut mentality.
“To say: ‘Okay, there’s things happening over there, it may give us a wee boost. Some little chink of light in terms of strengthening mentality even more.’
“But I think he certainly has to say we carry on us as we’re doing.”
In other news, major update on Celtic and Rangers bid to sign £4million-rated attacker after offer submitted.