The season has wrapped up with Celtic once again asserting their domestic dominance, securing both the Scottish Premiership title and the League Cup.
While the Scottish Cup final defeat to Aberdeen still lingers, it’s hard to argue with the broader success the Hoops have enjoyed. Domestically, they remain the team to beat, and their performances in the Champions League proved they can go toe-to-toe with Europe’s best.
But with the 49ers Enterprises now officially completing their takeover of Rangers, there are questions about whether Celtic’s domestic stranglehold could soon face a serious challenge.
Rangers takeover sparks debate on Celtic’s supremacy
I [Patrick Sinat] was invited to join the BBC Sportsound panel alongside Motherwell fan Kevin Torrance and Rangers supporter Scott Cameron to discuss the state of Scottish football, including the implications of the Rangers takeover and the Scottish Cup final fallout.
When asked by host Kenny McIntyre whether Celtic should be concerned, I responded:
“I wouldn’t say we’re concerned. At Celtic, it’s business as usual. We’ve got a strong structure, and it’s up to Rangers to catch up — not for us to look over our shoulder.”
I highlighted how Celtic have always responded decisively when challenged — whether it was bringing in Brendan Rodgers after a Scottish Cup semi-final loss in 2016, or responding to losing the league in 2021 by pursuing top managerial talent, eventually landing Ange Postecoglou. The club has shown time and again that it answers questions with action.
“Whenever Celtic are challenged, they come up with solutions. That hasn’t changed, and our focus is simply to keep improving — it’s on Rangers to keep up.”
Analysts split on the gap closing
Pundit Ian McCall suggested the gap between the two clubs could close quickly if Celtic falter in a transfer window and Rangers get theirs right.
“If Celtic have a poor window and Rangers bring in a few solid additions — like a Raskin or a Maeda — and appoint the right manager, it could shift the balance faster than expected,” McCall said.
I countered that Celtic already experienced a poor transfer window when Rodgers returned, with only Luis Palma making an initial impact — and even his form dipped halfway through the season. Yet, Celtic still secured a domestic double.
“We’ve had a bad window, and we still won a double. The difference was, Rangers didn’t have a great window at the same time,” I added.
McCall agreed, admitting that for real pressure to mount, the stars would need to align — with Rangers excelling while Celtic stumble.
Host Kenny McIntyre and journalist Tom English agreed, noting that for the gap to truly narrow, Rangers would need to make a series of exceptional decisions — something they’ve historically struggled to do — while Celtic would have to start making consistently poor ones.
Celtic still firmly in control
The narrative that Celtic should be fearful of Rangers’ new ownership is simply overstated. While keeping tabs on developments across the city is natural, Celtic have no reason to panic.
Time and again since 2012, new regimes have come into Ibrox with big ambitions to end Celtic’s reign — and each time, the Parkhead side has risen to the occasion and come out on top.
Until proven otherwise, the pressure remains firmly on Rangers to show they can finally back up the talk with action.
