Balance of power is shifting to Rangers but Derek McInnes must now pounce on Celtic basket case

Hugh Keevins argues Rangers must win the title this season as Celtic stumble; McInnes has won only one trophy in 12 years as a manager.

Hugh Keevins has written a column assessing the shifting balance of power in the Old Firm after Rangers beat Celtic twice this season and reached the Premier Sports Cup Final, while Celtic lost to Falkirk in the league. Keevins argues that Rangers manager Derek McInnes now has the best opportunity to win the Premiership title, with three more league derbies remaining that could allow Rangers to build an insurmountable lead.

Keevins points out that McInnes has won only one trophy as a manager—the League Cup with Aberdeen 12 years ago—and his CV needs strengthening. However, Keevins contends that McInnes has every advantage: Rangers have a multi-million pound squad, no punishing European midweek fixtures to manage, and Celtic are currently self-sabotaging with managerial issues and poor signings. Keevins notes that Celtic won 14 of the last 15 league titles by taking advantage of Rangers' corporate dysfunction, but the tables have now turned with Celtic becoming the basket case. The columnist concludes that if McInnes cannot win the league under these circumstances, he may never win it.