Martin O'Neill shows Rangers what needs 'addressed' to catch Celtic with Achilles heel proving title race hinderance

Martin O'Neill has told Rangers they could face psychological hurdles in the title race if they keep dropping points to clubs outside their bitter rivals.

While the Irishman's beloved Celtic emerged 4-2 winners on the opening day of the Premiership season against Ross County, his former adversaries stumbled to a 1-0 loss a Kilmarnock. Brad Lyons' goal has sparked an inquest amongst the fanbase ahead of a crucial Champions League qualifier with Servette this week, and already they are three points off the champions.

O'Neill told talkSPORT that Michael Beale's men can tussle with the Hoops on their day, but it's matches like the Rugby Park slip that have proved an Achilles heel. He said: "It's a poor start by Rangers obviously. They have some new players coming in, Celtic go and win earlier in the day, and it was a very poor result. The problem you always feel about Rangers in the last couple of seasons is that on the day they can compete with Celtic.

"But it's going to other places where you feel Celtic can get the result away from home, whereas Rangers might struggle. They have to address that as much as anything else.

"You have got to keep them within distance. Suddenly you start opening up a gap early on and it becomes psychologically dispiriting to try and win a game, particularly if you play a day after.

"It really is a drag and conversely it works the other way as well. So you have to keep that gap very close."