Michael Stewart interrupts to ask Alan Hutton about his comments regarding Rangers and Celtic.

Michael Stewart has interrupted Alan Hutton to question his comments about the contrasting progress of Rangers and Celtic as Derek McInnes begins to make his mark at Ibrox.

Rangers appear to be finding some momentum under their new manager after what was an extremely difficult opening period to the campaign. McInnes endured a nightmare introduction to life in the Ibrox dugout, with the early results leaving supporters frustrated and concerned about where the team was heading.

The former Rangers defender would have been the first to acknowledge that the beginning of his tenure was far from ideal. Rangers managed just one point from their opening two Scottish Premiership fixtures under McInnes, while their European campaign ended in disappointment. The combination of poor domestic results and an early exit from continental competition meant the new boss was placed under pressure almost immediately.

For a club of Rangers’ size and expectations, such a start was always going to create scrutiny. The pressure surrounding the manager was increased by the fact that supporters expected an immediate improvement after another period of uncertainty at Ibrox.

However, the mood has begun to change in recent weeks.

Three consecutive victories against Aberdeen, Falkirk and Motherwell have given Rangers a much-needed boost and moved them significantly higher in the Scottish Premiership standings. The results have also provided McInnes with valuable breathing space as his players continue to adapt to his methods.

The fixture schedule has also become increasingly demanding, with matches arriving at a rapid pace. Rangers now turn their attention towards St Mirren before facing two hugely significant encounters against Celtic.

Those Old Firm meetings are already dominating the conversation, with former Rangers defender Alan Hutton looking ahead to the challenges that await McInnes and his players.

For Rangers and Celtic managers, performances in the biggest fixture in Scottish football often determine how supporters judge their progress. Regardless of what happens in other matches, success in the Old Firm can have an enormous influence on the perception of a manager and his team.

Hutton believes the upcoming meetings with Celtic will provide the clearest indication yet of whether Rangers are genuinely progressing under McInnes. While the club has enjoyed three important victories, facing Celtic represents an entirely different challenge.

Speaking on Premier Sports’ Scottish Football Social Club, Hutton assessed the current gap between the two Glasgow rivals and suggested Celtic are currently further along in their development.

The former Ibrox defender explained that Celtic have shown signs of becoming a well-functioning and increasingly dangerous team.

“Sometimes, when I look at Celtic, they look very fluid and it’s really sharp,” Hutton said. “It’s clicking and you can see something really building.”

Hutton then compared that development with what he has seen from Rangers and admitted he does not believe McInnes’ side have reached the same level yet.

“I feel that Rangers aren’t as far ahead as that at this moment in time,” he added.

It was that comparison which immediately caught Michael Stewart’s attention.

Stewart quickly interrupted Hutton and jokingly questioned why the former Rangers player was so focused on Celtic while discussing the progress of his old club.

“Why are you always talking about Celtic?” Stewart asked.

The exchange underlined a familiar reality surrounding both clubs. Whatever progress Rangers make, their development will inevitably be measured against Celtic, particularly when an Old Firm meeting is approaching.

For McInnes, the upcoming fixtures represent a major opportunity to demonstrate that Rangers’ recent improvement is genuine rather than simply the result of a favourable run of matches.

The question supporters will ultimately want answered is straightforward: can Rangers actually beat Celtic?

Only a couple of weeks ago, confidence in Rangers’ ability to overcome their city rivals would have been extremely low. Their poor beginning under McInnes, combined with their European disappointment, gave little reason for optimism.

The situation now looks considerably different.

The victory over Motherwell was arguably the most convincing indication yet that Rangers are beginning to develop into the type of team McInnes wants. Rangers were able to control the match against a Motherwell side that has developed a reputation for playing attractive and positive football.

That performance appeared to carry greater significance than the earlier wins over Aberdeen and Falkirk. Although those victories were important for the league table and the team’s confidence, there were still doubts about whether Rangers had truly turned the corner.

The Motherwell performance offered more evidence that progress is being made.

McInnes has also started to establish a clearer structure within his team. Rather than constantly changing his line-up, the Rangers boss appears to have settled on a preferred spine and is beginning to build greater consistency around it.

That stability can be crucial when preparing for major fixtures.

A settled defensive unit allows players to develop greater understanding, while maintaining only minor changes in midfield can help establish stronger partnerships and improve the team’s overall rhythm.

Rangers have now begun to show signs of that consistency, with McInnes seemingly developing a more settled back four and making smaller adjustments in midfield rather than making wholesale changes.

That could prove particularly valuable when Celtic arrive.

The major concern, however, is the growing injury list.

Rangers have already lost Lawrence Shankland for a significant period, with the captain facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines. His absence represents a major blow because of the goals and experience he brings to the side.

Shankland has also been joined on the injury list by Youssef Chermiti, meaning Rangers are now without two important attacking options for an extended period.

The timing could hardly be worse with the Old Firm fixtures approaching.

McInnes must therefore find solutions within his squad and hope that his other attacking players can step forward when the pressure is at its highest.

The arrivals of Kevin Kelsy and Badredine Bouanani could become particularly important. Both players were brought in with the expectation that they could provide additional quality and attacking threat.

The biggest question is whether they can produce that impact on the biggest stage.

Rangers have started to build momentum, and the victories over Aberdeen, Falkirk and Motherwell have given supporters renewed belief. But Celtic will provide a far tougher examination.

Hutton believes Celtic currently look further ahead in their development, while Stewart’s interruption highlighted just how difficult it is to discuss Rangers without immediately bringing their Glasgow rivals into the conversation.

Ultimately, the next two Old Firm matches will provide McInnes with the clearest opportunity yet to prove how far Rangers have come.

If Rangers can continue their recent improvement and compete with Celtic, perhaps even secure a victory, the narrative around McInnes could change dramatically.

But if Celtic expose the weaknesses that were visible earlier in the season, questions about Rangers’ progress will quickly return.

For now, there is genuine encouragement around Ibrox. The team looks more settled, the results are improving and McInnes appears to have found a clearer identity for his side.

The injuries to Shankland and Chermiti remain a significant concern, though, and players such as Kelsy and Bouanani may be required to produce something special.

The answer to whether Rangers have genuinely closed the gap on Celtic is therefore still unknown.

The Old Firm clashes will provide the ultimate test.