Rangers Given Clear Warning Over Celtic Title Race: Can McInnes Exploit Their European Advantage?

Rangers Given Clear Warning Over Celtic Title Race: Can McInnes Exploit Their European Advantage? Rangers have little room for another domestic slip-up if they want to close the gap on Celtic in the Scottish Premiership. With no European fixtures to manage, Derek McInnes’ side have a clear advantage in their pursuit of the league leaders, but recent results suggest they still need greater consistency. The Ibrox side missed a valuable opportunity last weekend. Rangers surrendered a lead to draw 2-2 against Dundee on October 17, allowing Celtic to strengthen their position with a crushing 7-1 victory over Hearts the following day. That result left the Light Blues four points behind their city rivals, increasing the pressure ahead of Saturday’s home match against St Johnstone. According to comments reported in the Scottish football discussion on The Breakdown podcast, relayed by BBC , former Rangers midfielder Kevin Thomson believes the fixture schedule should favour McInnes’ team over the coming weeks. Rangers have no continental matches after their European qualifying campaign ended in defeat on penalties against Jablonec. Celtic, meanwhile, have at least six more Europa League fixtures to negotiate, beginning with Thursday’s home meeting with Celta Vigo. Thomson argued that playing before Celtic allows Rangers to put their rivals under pressure. A victory against St Johnstone could cut the deficit to one point before Martin O’Neill’s side visit Hibernian on Sunday. The former midfielder also suggested that Rangers could supply more players than Celtic in a combined Old Firm starting XI, reflecting his confidence in the squad’s individual quality. “The bit I think that favours Rangers, or it should, and there can’t be any excuses from a blue perspective, is they’ve not got Europe,” former Rangers midfielder Thomson said on The Breakdown podcast. “The likelihood is they’re going to play in front of Celtic week after week. It’ll not happen every week, obviously. But it’s that psychological aspect of being able to win on the Saturday. “It’s St Johnstone at Ibrox on Saturday and if Celtic were to potentially have a hard European game (against Vigo) and then they have to go to Easter Road on Sunday. They could still go to Easter Road and win, but I think that’s the exciting part about this title race.” Thomson, in a discussion with former Celtic player Charlie Mulgrew about a combined current Old Firm XI, added: “I still think you would pick more Rangers players (than Celtic) in a starting 11 now.” Can Rangers turn their scheduling advantage into a title-winning run? GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – SEPTEMBER 13: Rangers manager Derek McInnes celebrates at full time after a 3-0 victory during the Rangers v Celtic – Premier Sports Cup match at Ibrox Stadium on September 13, 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images) McInnes must make that advantage count on the pitch. Rangers have collected 20 points from nine league matches, recording six wins, two draws and one defeat while scoring 13 goals and conceding seven. Five victories in their previous six league games had strengthened their position before the frustrating draw at Dundee interrupted their progress. The defensive record offers encouragement, but Rangers need an efficient attacking threat when opponents defend deep. Their European absence gives the squad more recovery time, yet fatigue alone won’t determine the title race. Celtic can still win domestic matches after demanding European nights, as their demolition of Hearts demonstrated. Rangers, therefore, need to concentrate on their own performances rather than wait for their rivals to stumble. Saturday’s match is important. Dropping points against St Johnstone would waste another opportunity to narrow the gap and hand Celtic greater freedom on Sunday. McInnes must demand a convincing performance, clinical finishing and concentration until the final whistle. Thomson’s argument makes sense, but the psychological advantage works both ways. Winning first can unsettle Celtic; failing to do so can expose Rangers to greater scrutiny. With 20 points already secured, the Ibrox side remain firmly involved in the contest, although their next domestic performance must justify the confidence surrounding their title ambitions.