'Not really a level playing field' - Stelling delivers Rangers title verdict live on talkSPORT

Jeff Stelling has predicted that Celtic potentially losing some of their best players will put them on a level playing field with Rangers this season.

Speaking live on the Breakfast Show on talkSPORT [22 August], the TV host told Shebahn Aherne that the Gers’ “massive financial problems” are holding the club back and that the Scottish title race will become far more competitive should Celtic be weakened in the final week of the transfer window.

Stelling branded the current Scottish Premiership battle a “one-horse race” amid the difficulties currently plaguing Philippe Clement’s side on and off the field.

After discussing a potential move for Kyogo from Celtic Park to Manchester City, Aherne posed the thought: “Matt O’Riley linked with Brighton, Reo Hatate linked with a move away, Cameron Carter-Vickers as well, there’ll be no one left at Celtic.”

Stelling responded: “Well that should make things much more level against Rangers shouldn’t it?

“Rangers, we all know at the moment have got massive financial problems so they can’t really sign anybody.

“At the moment it’s not really a level playing field and you feel looking from the outside in, Shebahn – you’ll know better than I – you feel it’s going to be a one-horse race.”

Rangers may have to rely on Celtic weakening

With the transition period being undertaken by John Bennett, Nils Koppen and Clement on the blue half of Glasgow, Celtic will be fancying a clear run at a fourth-straight league title.

Clement has made clear the complexities of the transfer window Rangers are working with, including implying that every player still has their price this summer and that sales must happen before any significant money is spent.

The club nevertheless have spent a net amount of almost £10m during the current window, with the likes of Hamza Igamane, Robin Propper and Jefte brought in; Mohammed Diomande’s loan made permanent, and a seven-figure loan fee for Vaclav Cerny.

Plenty of experienced heads have left Ibrox over the summer, however, and the combination of this transition and being absent from their home stadium is offering no benefit to the progress of the Light Blues’ season.

Should Celtic sell a few, matters might get a little more intriguing, like Stelling says.

In other Rangers news, Ianis Hagi is destined for a move back to his homeland.

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