John Hartson fancies Celtic to capitalise on ‘unsettled Rangers’

John Hartson fancies Celtic to capitalise on an ‘unsettled’ theRangers to beat them in first Glasgow Derby of the new season.

John Hartson celebrates scoring during the Scottish Premier League match between Celtic and Rangers at Celtic Park on November 19, 2005 . (Photo by Chris Lee/Getty Images)

The Former Celtic striker has backed his old side to come out on top against city rivals theRangers on Sunday, claiming theRangers’ ‘chopping and changing’ over the last few years has left them unsettled.

Speaking to Clive Tyldesley and former Celtic boss Martin O’Neill on The Football Authorities podcast, John admitted that Celtic’s dominance in the Scottish game over the last decade points to another Celtic Glasgow Derby win being on the cards. “Celtic have been the dominant team over the last 10 or 12 years,” Hartson says. “Celtic have won five trebles in that time.”

Michael Beale, Manager of theRangers and Ange Postecoglou, Celtic’s manager look on during the Viaplay Cup Final between theRangers and Celtic at Hampden on February 26, 2023 (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)

Looking at both clubs’ recent history, John argues that a line of successful managers has brought stability to Celtic, keeping the winning momentum going, even through times of transition. “Ange Postecoglou did a fantastic job. You know, a brilliant manager, plays really exciting football; the Celtic way,” he says.

Callum McGregor and Brendan Rodgers embrace following the team’s victory during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and theRangers at Celtic Park on May 11, 2024. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“Brendan Rodgers, first time around now was brilliant – winning trebles. Brendan obviously left the club, he had his own reason for that, but now he’s back and I believe he was the best man for the job.”

However, in contrast, John believes that theRangers’ constant ‘chopping and changing’ of their managers has created instability at the club, leaving them unsettled and facing an uphill battle in ending Celtic’s domestic dominance. “I just think (the)Rangers have chopped and changed quite a lot in terms of the managers. You had Giovanni Van Bronckhorst, then you had Michael Beale, you’ve now got Philippe Clement,” Hartson says.

theRangers manager Philippe Clement and Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers embrace on the final whistle after the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Rangers FC and Celtic FC at Ibrox on April 07, 2024. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

“The players have changed; they bring a lot of players in on loan. And I just think that (the)Rangers haven’t quite settled in the last few years. There’s been a lot of changes there, and Celtic have managed to capitalise on that.”