Ally McCoist explains how Micky Beale has closed the gap on Celtic
Soccer Football - Scottish League Cup - Final - Rangers v Celtic - Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain - February 26, 2023 Former player and TV pundit Ally McCoist and former Scotland and Celtic manager Gordon Strachan are seen before the match REUTERS/Russell Cheyne
Ally McCoist has claimed that Micky Beale has closed the gap between the top two in the SPFL Premiership.
That is a fairly imaginative take on events, when the former QPR boss took charge at Ibrox in November Celtic were nine points ahead, the same gap as there is today.
Ange Postecoglou’s side have increased their goal difference advantage to 27 better off than their city rivals and taken the first trophy of the season- the Viaplay Cup.
Speaking yesterday at Hampden, STV report McCoist saying:
I definitely think the gap’s closed. League Cup final, there wasn’t a lot in it, Celtic probably just the better team. The league game at Ibrox, Celtic started well but Rangers should have won the game.
There’s maybe a train of thought that Celtic have slightly got the advantage at this moment in time but I don’t think the gap’s what it once was.
The two Glasgow sides will meet again on April 8 giving Beale the chance to prove that the gap has closed, anything less than an away win will make Celtic heavy favourites to lift the title for the 11th season out of 12.
The two sides will then face each other on April 30 in the semi-final of the Scottish Cup with a further match at Ibrox to be scheduled after the Premiership split.