Alex McLeish has conceded the Premier League title to Celtic!
Eight games into the new campaign the former Rangers (IL) and Scotland manager has admitted that Mark Warburton’s tribute act are playing for second place.
McLeish who managed a club from Ibrox to two EBT funded titles in 2003 and 2005 kept quiet during the summer as Joey Barton and Nico Kranjcar were drafted in to take the title from Celtic.
Six months after playing the hoops off the park in the semi final of the Scottish Cup it seems that Dave King’s war-chest has backfired with Brendan Rodgers set to enjoy a six-in-a-row party.
“They are not as strong as Celtic, I think we know that,” McLeish declared to the Evening Times.
“We have to give Mark Warburton that respect and give him that patience in terms of the catch-up game that has to be played with Celtic, and even, to an extent, some of the other teams.
“I thought the Aberdeen game would be a big test for them and it proved to be that way. For me, it should have finished a draw but, at the same time, Aberdeen managed the game quite well and showed that they have got great experience in this league.
“It is for Mark to discover this league as well and for his players to show that they can compete.
“I would say they are going to be in there for the runners-up alongside Aberdeen and Hearts. I really can’t see Rangers taking the title from Celtic, as much as I want them to.”
Warbo, who used to work as a city trader, will be without Joey Barton for Friday’s match away to Inverness Caley Thistle after the club extended the midfielder’s suspension to a fourth week.
Sevo are currently three points above ICT in fifth place in the table, in 2006 McLeish led Rangers (IL) to third in the SPL behind Celtic and Hearts.
