Chris Sutton has performed a title u-turn after watching 90 minutes of Dad’s Army.
Before Wednesday’s action at Kilmarnock the BT Sport pundit claimed that it was advantage Ibrox with Steven Gerrard signing experience while Celtic went down a youthful, development route in the transfer market.
Steve Davis and Jermain Defoe were unable to have any real impact on the match as Steve Clarke’s side came from a goal behind to take full points while Celtic and Aberdeen resumed their winning ways.
That defeat has sparked a mighty inquest with Gerrard being questioned over changing his team to shoe-horn in two marquee signings while Joe Worrall continues to be a walking disaster in defence.
It seems that Gerrard’s decision to sign players in his own age range- Allan McGregor and Gareth McAuley played at Kilmarnock with a combined age of 75- has backfired with the Ibrox club likely to start Sunday’s match at Livingston six points behind the champions.
In the Daily Record Sutton claimed: “The subsequent defeat at Rugby Park was a hammer blow for Steven Gerrard and his side – it felt like a big moment in the title race.
“After all the hype of beating Celtic for the first time in 13 derbies, Rangers had to back it up and be ruthless but they failed to put the foot on the throttle.
“Gerrard’s side have put themselves under real pressure with that defeat and there is no margin for error now.
“The league fixtures after the winter break were always going to be a test for Gers – trips to Killie, Livingston and Aberdeen with St Mirren at home sandwiched between them.
“The importance of taking at least 10 points was paramount but Gers can now land a maximum of nine.
“They could be trailing Celtic, who have played a game less, by six points before they travel to Livi on Sunday. So Gers can’t afford another slip up and there isn’t a lot of time for the Alfredo Morelos-Jermain Defoe partnership to gel.
“While the signings of Defoe and Steven Davis look to be very positive there could be an issue if Gerrard plays two up top and a midfield diamond to accommodate them.
“Only time will tell if Morelos and Defoe are a success and if the tinkering with the system will work but it was the manner in which Rangers lost that was the worry on Wednesday.
“They were so dominant in the first 25 minutes and got their noses in front but never really recovered from Joe Worrall’s mistake for the leveller.
“Rangers have gone all in with the signings of Defoe and Davis – if it doesn’t come off this season then it will derail them and you would have to fancy Celtic for 10-in-a-row.”
Gerrard has reacted to the defeat at Kilmarnock by making a move to sign Barrow keeper Andy Firth, Barrow play in the National League, the fifth tier of the English pyramid system.
