Kris Boyd didn’t hide his disappointment as Celtic officially secured their fourth consecutive Scottish Premiership title, but the former Rangers striker was quick to acknowledge the scale of the achievement — and the growing gulf between Glasgow’s two giants.
Throughout the opening months of the campaign, Celtic were unstoppable, and there was even early talk of another invincible season under Rodgers, but the Hoops took their foot off the gas at the turn of the year, with the gap over Rangers already so big.
Yet, despite their excellent form slowing, Rangers couldn’t even get in touching distance with Celtic.
Speaking after Brendan Rodgers’ side clinched the title in emphatic fashion, Boyd gave a nod to Celtic’s consistency and superiority throughout the campaign.
“First of all, congratulations to Celtic.
“I mean, I think once again, they’ve been the outstanding team in Scotland.
“You know, that consistency that Brendan Rodgers seems to find from his team is unmatched.
“And, you know, I think for a Rangers point of view, there’s obviously going to be a takeover happening anytime soon.
“But the harsh reality is that Rangers are falling further and further behind Celtic.
“When you go back a few years ago in terms of that trophy count and, you know, everybody’s, it was virtually impossible to think that if I go back to my time at the football club, that Celtic were going to get anywhere near it.
“And people will say since Rangers have went down the league, but Celtic have actually won more trophies since Rangers have came back to the top flight than they did when they were away.”
It was a sobering assessment from a man who spent years trying to prevent days like these.
Sutton was right when the pair clashed last year, and Sky Sports brilliantly dug out the old footage after Rodgers’ side won 55 at Tannadice and moved two trophies clear of Rangers in the overall haul.
They have a chance to add to that collection, with Celtic’s third most successful manager, when they meet Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup final in search of yet another treble.
