Kris Boyd warns Rangers ruthless Brendan Rodgers won't give them second chance after slow Ange start

Kris Boyd has warned Michael Beale and Rangers they’ll be no second chances with Brendan Rodgers back in charge at Celtic.

The former Ibrox hero reckons his old side let Ange Postecoglou off the hook when his Parkhead reign was on the brink of early disaster two years ago. The Australian found himself six points behind just seven games into his first campaign in Glasgow but roared back to the win the title as Gio van Bronckhorst’s side collapsed after Christmas.

But Boyd fears Rodgers’ side won’t show the same kind of generosity to Beale’s new-look Gers side if they fail to match the champions’ early season pace when the new Premiership term gets underway on Saturday. The Sky Sports pundit said: “Patience is key. It’s easy to say that but the reality is you don’t get it. And if we’re honest Ange Postecoglou at the start of his time at Celtic was probably one more defeat away from everybody turning on him.

“That’s how close it was. For whatever reason, though, Rangers allowed his side to get back into that title race two years ago and Celtic kicked-on from there.

“Do I think Rangers can afford to do the same this year? No, because this Celtic team is a well-oiled machine.

“They will change the way they play slightly but Brendan Rodgers is a winner and he’ll want to win and win in style. He will demand his players train their best every single day to allow them to put in top performances.”

Beale will be praying this summer’s nine new recruits gel quickly as they prepare for their Rugby Park curtain-raiser with Kilmarnock. They only have to wait four games for their first major domestic test as Celtic visit Ibrox.

And Boyd believes that September 3 showdown will indicate if Gers are serious contenders this season. He said: