If there’s one person in the Rangers family who truly comprehends what it takes to achieve victory, it’s none other than club icon Graeme Souness.
Having kickstarted Rangers’ epic run to 9IAR during his time as player and manager at Ibrox, Souness has undeniably etched his name as one of the greatest living legends in the history of the Gers.
With his deep-rooted connection to the club still prevailing, the 70-year-old has been actively involved, even advising on the appointment of Philippe Clement. Despite his longstanding ties to Rangers, Souness remains outspoken and unafraid to voice his opinions.
Recently, the Rangers legend found himself at odds with TalkSPORT pundit Simon Jordan over the Glasgow side’s chances at the title. Souness boldly proclaimed that Rangers must secure victory in every remaining game to be crowned champions this season.
During a discussion on TalkSPORT with Jim White, Souness deliberated on Rangers’ prospects against Celtic. As the Scottish Premiership enters its decisive phase with the split approaching, Rangers are yet to triumph over their Old Firm rivals this season, facing two crucial derbies before the campaign concludes.
The upcoming league clash at Celtic Park holds immense significance, especially after Rangers’ impressive 2-0 win over Hearts setting up their first Old Firm Scottish Cup Final in over two decades.
When asked if beating Celtic is imperative for Rangers’ success this season, Souness was direct in his response, stating, “Yes, in simple terms. History suggests that conquering your arch-rival usually leads to league triumph. Rangers haven’t achieved that yet this year. However, there’s still time.”
Emphasizing the need for relentless focus, Souness cautioned against complacency, stressing that every match is akin to a final for both Rangers and Celtic, mirroring the intensity seen in clashes between Liverpool and Manchester United.
To bounce back and secure a prosperous season, Souness believes Rangers must maintain a flawless record until the season finale. As expectations soar, Souness predicts an arduous journey for the Gers, urging them to reclaim their winning form.
The discussion took a sharp turn when Souness and Simon Jordan disagreed on Rangers’ capabilities in overcoming Celtic. While Souness remains optimistic about Rangers’ potential, Jordan raised doubts, insinuating underlying bias from the former Liverpool luminary.
“Absolutely, they have the players to challenge Celtic,” declared Souness.
In response to Simon Jordan, who earlier claimed Rangers haven’t posed a threat to Celtic, Souness defended his stance by pointing to a recent game where Rangers played impressively against their rivals despite a 2-1 loss and playing with 10 men for a portion of the match. He highlighted moments from both the Parkhead and Ibrox games where Rangers showcased their potential.
Souness emphasized the slim margin separating the two Old Firm teams, acknowledging the strengths displayed by both sides in different parts of the recent encounters. Despite criticism for exhibiting bias towards Rangers, Souness reiterated his commitment to providing honest analysis based on his experience in the media.
Regarding the upcoming challenges, Souness stressed the importance for Rangers to start strongly in their future matches. The football legend shared his belief that Rangers need to maintain a flawless run until the end of the season, including the crucial visit to Celtic Park.
Reflecting on the recent performances and the current point difference in the league standings, Souness expressed his surprise at Rangers’ post-Old Firm match form and called for a renewed focus to secure victories in every remaining game. With the league title at stake and only a few matches left, Souness sees every upcoming game as crucial for Rangers to close the gap on Celtic and aim for the championship.