Former Rangers midfielder Brian Laudrup believes Walter Smith’s present side will wrap up the Scottish title should they beat Celtic on Sunday.
That would open up a 10-point gap at the top of the Scottish Premier League, with Rangers having a game in hand.
“If Rangers were to beat Celtic, that’s it,” Laudrup told BBC Scotland.
“Rangers can obviously not relax, but they can certainly be sure of winning the title, which would be fantastic with the financial situation in mind.”
Laudrup spent four successful years with Rangers after Smith bought him for £2.3m from AC Milan in 1994 during more prosperous times for the Glasgow club.
The Danish international helped Rangers complete nine titles in a row during Smith’s first stint in charge at Ibrox.
Smith also departed the club in 1998, taking charge of Everton and the Scottish national team before returning to Rangers in 2007.
And Laudrup is impressed that the manager has been able to win another championship last season and head the table again this term despite the cutbacks and pressures resulting from a debt of more than £30m made more restrictive by a harsher banking environment.
“If you look at the financial situation, it is not great compared maybe to the 90s, when it was a very financially sound period for the club and they could go out and buy some players that maybe they don’t have now,” said Laudrup.
“Walter coming back was a very brave decision to make.
“If you look at what Walter had achieved at the club, to go back, a lot of people would say, ‘can he do it one more time?’ – and he has done that.
“It’s really remarkable bearing in mind that they can’t really buy players of a certain standard nowadays, or have to sell before they can get someone in.
“I take my hat off to Walter and his assistants. They have done a fantastic job really.”
Celtic manager Tony Mowbray has, in contrast to his city rival, been given the funds to rebuild the side he inherited from Gordon Strachan in the summer.
However, despite the addition of eight players during January, including the high-profile addition of forward Robbie Keane on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, Rangers remain in pole position going into the third Old Firm derby of the season.
“It’s the very last chance for Celtic to get back into it,” said Laudrup.
“Even by winning that game, it’s still in Rangers’ hands.”
Related posts:
