Will Rangers challenge Celtic for the Scottish Premiership title next season?

After Rangers were demoted all the way to the bottom of Scottish league football as they entered liquidation, their fiercest rivals Celtic have had an easier ride in the Scottish Premiership, winning the title the past five seasons.

However, after winning the Scottish Championship, their Glasgow rivals Rangers are back in the top flight, but can they mount a serious title threat in the 2016/17 season? Well given Celtic’s current form, it is quite plausible.

Despite winning the Scottish Premier League for a fifth time in a row and for a 47th time overall, their league performances have disappointed and frustrated their
fans, with manager Ronny Deila leaving the club this summer as a result.

This season their only challenge for the title has come from Aberdeen, which with all due respect to them should not be happening. Celtic should be over the hill and
dominating like the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich do in their respective countries.

The Hoops are a far cry from their heroic Champions League exploits, like their magical victory over Barcelona; in fact they struggle in the Europa League never mind Europe’s elite competition.

Scottish striker Leigh Griffiths has been a breath of fresh air for the Celts, scoring an impressive 31 goals this league term, scoring a goal every 88 minutes. However, there have been too many lacklustre performances, and the new manager whoever he may be knows he will have to restore the team back to their former glory.

And the return of Rangers to the top flight should actually go some way in doing that.

Without their bitter footballing and religious counterparts battling them for glory like they had done for countless years, it could be argued that Celtic have had less incentive and less pressure to succeed, as they can still win the league even when they are from their best.

Subsequently, the return of Rangers to the SPL is not only good news for Rangers fans, neutrals and fans of football in general as we see the return of the iconic “Old Firm” derby, it’s actually a blessing in disguise for fans of Celtic too.

But are Rangers good enough to topple Celtic from their perch?

The two met this season in the semi-final of the Scottish Cup at Hampden Park, and Rangers actually managed to beat their rivals 5-4 on penalties in what was a thrilling encounter.

If the Gers go on to win the Cup final against Hibs, it will raise the confidence levels of both Mark Warburton and his players heading into the domestic season next term.

Furthermore, their summer transfer business has already got underway, with the acquisition of promising Scouse youngster Jordan Rossiter from Liverpool.

At just 19 years of age, the central midfielder has great potential to grow into a fantastic footballer for both club and country, and could be crucial to Rangers redevelopment into the top team in Scotland.

Furthermore, the Scottish Championship champions are looking at Burnley’s Joey Barton, according to BBC, whose contract runs out at the end of this season.

Should he be acquired, Rangers will benefit greatly from the experience Barton brings with him, after the Scouse midfielder has played for several years and just this season captained the Clarets to an English Championship title.

However, it can be assured that Celtic will be doing transfer business of their own over the summer, and with a new manager coming to Celtic Park, the team could well be freshened up and rejuvenated as they will be keen to put Rangers in their place.

One thing is for sure, next season’s Scottish Premiership will be exciting, and it is very close to call between the two Glaswegian giants of Scottish football.

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