7 reasons for Rangers to believe they CAN dethrone Celtic after Premiership looked a lost cause

Bookies wouldn't have taken many bets on Rangers winning the 2023/24 Scottish Premiership title after referee Steven McLean blew his final whistle at Ibrox on September 30.

A 3-1 defeat at home to Aberdeen left the Light Blues trailing Celtic, who defeated Motherwell in a late thriller at Fir Park earlier that same day, by seven points to leave them heavy odds-on to make it three-in-a-row.

But fast forward almost three months and the picture has changed massively. The reigning champions are still odds on but only marginally and suddenly a wager on Rangers doesn't seem so foolish with the Light Blues now just five points behind with the first of two games in hand to come at home to St Johnstone on Wednesday and the other a trip to Easter Road early next year. The Rangers resurgence is down to a couple of factors. First of all the board disposed of Michael Beale 24 hours after that dismal Dons defeat and, crucially, appear to have got the right man in the shape of Philippe Clement. Despite the Belgian insisting he doesn't have a magic wand, he has transformed the club in a short space of time - lifting the Viaplay Cup on Sunday to cap an incredible first nine weeks in the job.

He is adamant he will win a title at Ibrox, although can't promise it will be this year. But can he do it at the first time of asking? Here, Record Sport looks at some of the main reasons why it might not be such a stretch.

This is one of the most important aspects. This squad of players were short of self-belief when Michael Beale left and while Philippe Clement insisted he didn’t have a magic wand, he must have something special to have turned and transformed this group in such a short space of time. Without that belief then they wouldn’t be in