ALEX MCLEISH insists Rangers shouldn’t focus on stopping Celtic winning ten-in-a-row – because all their efforts have to go towards denying them a seventh straight Premiership crown first.
Pedro Caixinha’s side head to Hampden this weekend with their sights set on a Scottish Cup final spot as they attempt to end a disappointing campaign on a high note. Their Old Firm rivals have already clinched the League Cup and top flight title and are now just two matches away from a domestic clean sweep this term.
Celtic fans are dreaming of breaking the record run of successive titles and going on to dominate for a decade in the Premiership. But former Light Blues boss McLeish hopes there will be a far stronger challenge coming out of Ibrox as Caixinha prepares for his first full campaign in charge.
Read more: Alex McLeish: I never had a decision to make over a potential return to Rangers
“Is it a fear? It might be difficult to control for Rangers,” he said. “At the moment Celtic look like a runaway train. Celtic getting 10-in-a-row is not something I worry about every day. It wouldn’t affect my life, but, certainly the diehards don’t want to see it happen.
“It’s not 10-in-a-row they’ve got to be worried about, it’s next year and stopping seven in a row. That’s got to be the immediate goal. It’s not as if I’m saying I’m not bothered about 10-in-a-row - they’ve got to stop the next one. That’s what I said when I sat down with them. I said ‘listen, somehow you have to win the title next year by hook or by crook’. Never mind trying to get closer to them.
“It’s just the way Rangers and Celtic are. I think the Rangers directors knew what I was talking about, that band of clubs who have to win every game they can. Somehow, they have to win it next year. It is a runaway train, but whatever Rangers do, they don’t just have to try and get closer, they have to try and win it.”
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