If there is anyone connected to Rangers who knows what it takes to win things, it’s club legend Graeme Souness.
The former Ibrox player/manager kickstarted the club’s legendary run to 9IAR and his role in the history of Rangers makes him one of the Gers’ biggest living legends.
But whilst Souness’ Rangers connection continues to run deep – the 70-year-old was an advisor to the club’s appointment of Philippe Clement – the outspoken pundit has never been shy when it comes to speaking his mind.
Despite this, the Rangers legend clashed with TalkSPORT pundit Simon Jordan over Rangers’ title credentials as Graeme Souness told fans the Ibrox side will need to win every game between now and the end of the season to lift the title.
Rangers CAN overcome Celtic this season
Speaking on TalkSPORT, Graeme Souness was being quizzed by Jim White about Rangers’ title hopes against Celtic this season.
With the Scottish Premiership entering it’s five-game split, Rangers are yet to defeat Celtic this campaign with two Old Firm derbies to come before the final whistle is blown on season 23/24.
The first is a pivotal league meeting between the two sides at Celtic Park, whilst Rangers’ 2-0 victory over Hearts at Hampden has set up a first Old Firm Scottish Cup Final in 22 years.
Souness was asked if Rangers will need to overcome Celtic this season to be successful and the ex-Rangers manager was characteristically candid in his response.
“Yes, in simple terms,” said Souness.
“If you’re beating your biggest rival whatever side of the city you’re on it generally means you’re going to be winning the league.
“Rangers have not done that this year but there’s still time.
“The Celtic players, the Celtic management will not take anything for granted. The minute you get into your armchair in the football world you’ll come unstuck, the minute you start talking a good game, you’ll come unstuck.
“From Celtic’s point view they still have to turn up every single game they play and the same applies for Rangers and Celtic as it does for Liverpool and Manchester United, every game they play is a cup final so they cannot rest on their laurels.
“For Rangers it’s about getting back on the horse. They got a reaction, they beat a good Hearts team, and they’ve got to win every single game between now and the end of the season and then they’ll have had a good season.”
Souness and Jordan clash live TalkSPORT
Graeme Souness and Simon Jordan would then clash on Jim White’s question about Rangers having the players to overcome Celtic.
Whilst Souness believes the Ibrox side can overcome their Parkhead rivals, Jordan claims evidence to the contrary points to the Liverpool legend’s “Rangers bias”.
“Yes of course he has (the players to beat Celtic),” started Souness.
Simon Jordan – who had earlier claimed Rangers “haven’t laid a glove on Celtic” – then bit back, asking Souness “based on what?”
Souness then pointed to an earlier set of comments, where he insisted “there is not a lot” between the Old Firm as things stand.
“I was at the game at Parkhead when they lost 2-1 and they played a lot of the second half with 10 men,” said Souness.
“I thought they equipped themselves well that day Rangers and looked like the team that were going to score the goals in the second half.
“Celtic as they always do at Parkhead started like a house on fire.
“Then you’ve got the game at Ibrox where again Rangers didn’t start well and it was all Celtic and the game should’ve been out of sight for Celtic.
“But Rangers at half time regrouped and they were the better team in the second half. There is not a lot between the teams.”
Simon Jordon then said “that’s you showing your Rangers bias” before Graeme Souness responded about his experience in the media and always trying to call the game as he sees it.
As for the Rangers team, the Ibrox legend had a simple message: “What am I saying? Just start well next time.”
Rangers ‘have to beat Celtic’ to lift title
Graeme Souness has also echoed Philippe Clement’s suggestion that Rangers will need to have a perfect end to the season to be successful.
Rangers have never won every game of the Scottish Premiership split but the Rangers manager urged his team to do so following the draw with Dundee.
Similarly, Graeme Souness has claimed that his old club will have to win every game to lift the title, including the visit to Celtic Park in three weeks’ time.
“I thought Rangers would kick on after (the Old Firm),” said Souness. “It’s a bit of a wake up call, get back to basics, let’s make sure we’re really on it after that and they weren’t.
“They showed a reaction yesterday and you can’t separate (the Old Firm).
“Rangers have to win every single game now. Go to Parkhead, which is not easy, and win a game of football and hope that Celtic drop some point somewhere along the line or score a whole load of goals between now and the end.”
Rangers are three points behind Celtic in the Scottish Premiership with five games left to play.
