Rangers have been urged to capitalize on Celtic’s congested fixture list and launch a serious assault on a domestic treble following their impressive revival under manager Derek McInnes. Former Ibrox full-back Alan Hutton believes the current squad has transformed into a completely different prospect, one capable of sweeping all three Scottish trophies before them this season.

​The early weeks of the campaign offered little hint of such optimism. Rangers endured a frustrating beginning to their domestic league campaign after failing to claim victory in their opening two matches. That domestic sluggishness was quickly compounded by European heartbreak, as the Glasgow club bowed out of the Conference League qualification playoffs on penalties against Czech side Jablonec.

​Despite that early turbulence, McInnes oversaw an emphatic response from his players. The Light Blues have since engineered a sparkling seven-match winning streak across all competitions, an upturn punctuated by back-to-back victories over their bitter rivals. After knocking Celtic out of the Premier Sports Cup at the quarter-final stage, Rangers backed it up with a gritty 1-0 league triumph prior to the international break, pulling McInnes’ side to within two points of the reigning champions at the Scottish Premiership summit.

​Hutton pointed out that expectations in Glasgow never change regardless of summer upheaval or rocky beginnings, as supporters always demand a clean sweep. He highlighted that without the exhausting physical toll and travel demands of midweek European commitments, Rangers can channel all their energy, focus, and tactical preparation into domestic duties. With a League Cup semi-final already secured, Hutton argued that the opportunity is ripe for the taking, provided the squad can handle the unrelenting pressure that comes with wearing the shirt.

​While offering optimism for his former club, Hutton had stern words of warning for Celtic centre-back Cameron Carter-Vickers. The 28-year-old American international sparked widespread debate after the recent derby loss by publicly criticizing Celtic’s tactical approach, stating that the team’s play felt far too random and lacked a recognizable identity.

​Hutton questioned the defender’s decision to air those grievances so publicly. Speaking to FootballPredictions.com, the retired defender acknowledged how difficult post-match interviews can be when adrenaline and raw frustration run high immediately following a painful derby defeat. Nevertheless, he insisted that experienced players must take a breath, show restraint, and keep internal disputes strictly within the dressing room.

​According to Hutton, questioning coaching staff or tactical directives in front of the media achieves nothing constructive. Instead, it invites unnecessary external scrutiny, fuels speculation among supporters, and creates a major distraction during a demanding stretch of fixtures. For Celtic, dealing with those fractures internally will be vital, while Rangers aim to turn their rivals’ unrest into domestic silverware.