Celtic Football Club’s dominance in Scottish football over the past two decades is a testament to their resilience, meticulous planning, and ability to adapt to challenges both on and off the pitch. The club has become synonymous with success, winning a staggering number of trophies, including a Quadruple Treble, which is an unparalleled achievement in Scottish football. This kind of success has not only cemented Celtic’s place as the most successful club in Scotland but has also made them a formidable force on the European stage, despite the inherent challenges of competing with some of the continent’s giants.
The nine-in-a-row victories achieved under Neil Lennon were followed by another successful campaign under Brendan Rodgers, who returned to the club to once again steer them to domestic glory. This consistency, stretching across 13 titles in 14 years, has been pivotal to Celtic’s grip on Scottish football. Even in times of transition, such as during the changes in managerial leadership, the core structure of the club—both in terms of their squad and financial model—has allowed them to maintain a high level of performance.
In stark contrast, Rangers have found themselves constantly battling to catch up. Despite having a rich history and a massive fanbase, Rangers have failed to sustain a period of consistent excellence, especially in the domestic arena. This inconsistency has allowed Celtic to dominate without serious competition at the top, leaving Rangers fans disillusioned and questioning the future of their club. Rangers have experienced managerial changes, financial turmoil, and a failure to adequately rebuild their squad after their financial collapse, leaving them unable to mount a serious and consistent challenge to Celtic’s supremacy in the Scottish Premiership.
Brendan Rodgers, now in his second spell at Celtic, stands on the brink of another historic achievement. With another potential treble up for grabs, he has the opportunity to further engrain his legacy as one of Celtic’s most successful and revered managers. The team’s relentless pursuit of silverware, their unyielding consistency, and their ability to overcome challenges—both internal and external—are a reflection of the strong foundation laid by Rodgers and his predecessor, Neil Lennon. For Celtic, every season is an opportunity to extend their dominance, and they seem to be well on their way to another successful campaign under Rodgers’ stewardship.
However, despite the continual success of Celtic, the same cannot be said for Rangers. While they may have hopes pinned on a potential takeover by the San Francisco 49ers, the reality is that they are still several steps behind their fierce rivals. This takeover has been widely discussed as a potential game-changer for the Ibrox club, injecting financial muscle that could, in theory, allow Rangers to challenge Celtic on the pitch. But even with the potential of new investment, it is clear that Andy Walker’s words ring true: Rangers must address their inconsistency in domestic football before they can even begin to think about challenging Celtic for the title.
In a recent interview on The Go Radio Football Show, Walker was blunt in his assessment of Rangers’ prospects. He said, “Really weird. And on the other side of the coin there is Celtic who’ve been relentless up until recently, where it’s been very up and down. And that’s obviously been a source of great frustration for Brendan Rodgers. He’s aired it as well. He’s spoken about the summer and how much he wants to improve the squad, players coming in and out. For Rangers, they need to get a level of consistency in domestic football, before they can think about challenging Celtic for the title.”
Walker’s assessment of Rangers is spot-on. Inconsistency has plagued Rangers for years, particularly in the league. While they have had standout performances and moments of quality, these have not been enough to build a sustained challenge to Celtic’s position at the top of the league. Celtic, on the other hand, have become masters of consistency, knowing how to grind out results, even when they are not playing at their best. Their ability to dominate in every competition they enter, including the Scottish Premiership, Scottish Cup, and Scottish League Cup, has meant that Rangers have had little room to maneuver.
For Rangers, the road to recovery is likely to be long and difficult. Even if the 49ers takeover does proceed, the club will still face significant financial and structural challenges. Rangers have been crippled by years of poor financial management, resulting in a situation where they cannot afford to compete with Celtic in terms of squad depth and player quality. Even with a new influx of cash, Rangers will need to undertake a strategic rebuild, one that takes into account not just short-term needs, but also long-term sustainability.
Meanwhile, Celtic have enjoyed a far more stable financial position. Over the last two-and-a-half decades, Celtic have managed to build a robust financial model, which allows them to be competitive both domestically and in Europe. Their ability to comply with UEFA’s Financial Fair Play regulations means that they can comfortably invest in their squad whenever necessary. Celtic’s financial strength has given them the flexibility to strengthen their squad continuously and to attract high-quality players from all over the world. This financial advantage, combined with the club’s strong infrastructure, means that Celtic are well-positioned to maintain their dominance for years to come, regardless of any external challenges posed by Rangers or other clubs.
Even if Rangers do manage to sort out their finances, they will still face significant challenges in terms of building a team capable of challenging Celtic consistently. Celtic’s squad depth is one of their most powerful weapons. They have top-class players in every position, and the club’s ability to rotate the squad while still maintaining high levels of performance is a testament to their strength. In contrast, Rangers have often relied on a core group of players who have struggled with injuries and inconsistency. To mount a serious challenge to Celtic, Rangers will need to not only strengthen their squad but also improve their tactical approach to matches, ensuring that they can compete over a full season.
Even with a successful takeover and a financial boost, Rangers will need time to rebuild. A change in ownership and a significant overhaul of the squad might provide them with a competitive edge in the long term, but Celtic’s position at the top of Scottish football is not something that can be easily overturned. Celtic’s dominance is rooted in a combination of factors: strong financial planning, a deep squad, consistent performances, and a winning mentality. Until Rangers can match this, they will remain second best.
As things stand, Celtic’s reign seems far from over. With Rodgers back at the helm, the club is poised to continue its dominance in Scotland, extending their already impressive list of achievements. Whether Rangers can eventually close the gap depends on their ability to address their internal issues, create a sustainable financial model, and build a squad capable of matching Celtic’s strength and consistency. Until then, it seems Celtic will continue to sit at the summit of Scottish football, with their rivals trailing in their wake.