Ian Durrant spies 2 Rangers stars who’ll define title race as Kenny Dalglish clues in Celtic on what MUST change
Ian Durrant believes Todd Cantwell and Tom Lawrence can help Rangers return to the top of Scottish football by the end of the season, while Celtic veteran Kenny Dalglish acknowledges the strain on his former club.
The Light Blues might top the Premiership for the first time in two years if they beat Ross County by three goals in their encounter against Celtic at Ibrox on Wednesday. Durrant, a Rangers icon, was a member of the fabled nine-in-a-row team and also helped the club win three consecutive championships when Walter Smith hired him as a coach.
The former midfielder likes what he sees right now, especially from two guys. He told the Sunday Post: “I believe we are creating a lot of opportunities in the final third of the pitch. Todd Cantwell and Tom Lawrence are significant participants in that region. They prefer to penetrate in the last third and generate opportunities. They also enjoy shooting outside the box, which I enjoy seeing. I don’t believe there is enough of it in the present game.
“Tom shot the other night against Aberdeen and the keeper parried it out to Todd. He made no mistake from eight yards for a really good finish. I just hope Tom can get a run in the team and he stays away from the treatment table. He has been really unlucky with injuries and, as I well know from personal experience, it can get you down and demoralise you.
“It is never pleasant, and it requires enormous mental power to get through it and come out the other side. Tom appears to have that mindset, and I believe he can play a key role over the next three months. He’s a match winner. He is both a clever and skilled football player. He can pick a pass and go into nice spots where you can harm the opposition.
Todd is also like that. He appears to be enjoying his football, and he has scored vital goals in recent weeks. Long may it continue.
The focus has now shifted to midweek and a game versus Ross County. I never take anything for granted, but I believe Rangers can win it and may easily be top of the table on goal difference by 10 p.m. on Wednesday.
“Philippe has won every battle thus far, and all that remains is to overcome Celtic. They travel to Ibrox on April 6, and if Rangers win, it might be a huge step towards the title. It might be the club’s biggest domestic game in years. To win the league, you normally have to beat Celtic, which is what will be required.
Dalglish, a Scotland and Liverpool veteran, was pleased by the Gers’ winning mindset and warned the Hoops in a Sunday Post article. He stated that despite surrendering points in multiple games this season, Celtic remain at the top of the table. However, they will need to improve if they want to stay there and keep the title. Rangers are breathing down their necks and appear poised to capitalise on any further blunders by their opponents throughout the city.
“Philippe Clement and his players are in control of their actions; they do not appear to be nervous on the pitch. I don’t think they play a particularly attractive type of football, but it is effective. Simply put, they are devising a strategy for victory. And, when you peel everything away, that’s all that matters at this point in the season. So Brendan and his teammates must step up their game. They appear to be carrying a great deal of weight on their shoulders right now.
“Their attacking play needs to get better. Too many of their players are wasteful with their final ball and seem short of confidence in front of goal. I just don’t think they are putting teams under the same pressure as they were last season. That needs to change.”
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