Ex-Celtic player warns against being misled, firing back at Rangers after their claim.

Peter Grant challenges Rangers title talk

Peter Grant has pushed back against the growing belief that Rangers are now in pole position to win the Scottish Premiership, insisting that nobody should behave as though the title has already been decided.

The former Celtic midfielder has watched Rangers produce two impressive victories over Celtic before the international break, but he believes the reaction to those results has gone too far.

Derek McInnes’ Rangers side defeated Celtic in consecutive Old Firm meetings, first knocking their Glasgow rivals out of the Premier Sports Cup before securing another victory at Parkhead. Those results have dramatically changed the atmosphere around Scottish football and have put Celtic under increased pressure.

Martin O’Neill’s side had previously appeared to be in control after making an excellent start to the Premiership campaign. However, the back-to-back defeats against Rangers have reduced Celtic’s advantage at the top of the table and created renewed questions about their ability to maintain their challenge.

Grant believes Celtic now have plenty of work to do, but he has also warned against assuming that Rangers have suddenly secured the championship.

Grant refuses to write off Celtic

The recent Rangers victories have understandably been difficult for Celtic supporters to accept, particularly because of the importance of the Old Firm rivalry and the contrasting fortunes of the two clubs in recent seasons.

There is now a sense that the balance of power in Glasgow could be changing. Rangers appear to have found momentum under McInnes, while Celtic have experienced a noticeable dip in form.

Just a short time ago, Celtic were widely viewed as the team to beat after winning their opening six league matches. Their strong start had encouraged suggestions that O’Neill’s team could establish an early advantage in the title race.

However, Rangers have now completely changed the conversation.

Their two victories over Celtic have demonstrated that McInnes’ team can compete with their biggest rivals, while Celtic’s recent domestic and European results have raised concerns about their consistency.

Even so, Grant believes it is far too early to declare Rangers champions.

Speaking to the Daily Record on September 25, he reacted to the way people have begun discussing Rangers’ title prospects.

“That’s the way people are talking, as if Rangers have won the championship already,” Grant said.

He added that supporters could almost believe the trophy was being presented immediately, before stressing that there is still a considerable amount of football remaining.

Grant also acknowledged that Celtic cannot hide from their current problems. He argued that O’Neill’s side must improve their performances if they are going to remain competitive at the top of the Premiership.

Rangers have changed the title conversation

Although Grant is refusing to get carried away with Rangers’ recent success, the performances against Celtic have inevitably changed perceptions surrounding McInnes’ team.

Nobody is officially handing Rangers the league trophy, and there is still a long campaign ahead. Nevertheless, their consecutive Old Firm victories have provided them with significant confidence and momentum.

The Gers have also given themselves another potential opportunity for silverware before the end of the calendar year. If they can progress to the Premier Sports Cup final, McInnes’ team could potentially compete for a trophy much sooner than many expected.

That possibility adds another layer to what has already been a dramatic turnaround in Glasgow.

Rangers were not long ago trying to recover from an inconsistent beginning to the campaign, while Celtic looked to be establishing themselves at the top.

The situation now looks considerably different.

McInnes has managed to guide Rangers through two hugely significant victories, while O’Neill must find solutions after seeing his team beaten twice by their biggest rivals.

Ryan Naderi boost for McInnes

Another development surrounding Rangers during the international break involved Ryan Naderi.

The striker could have represented the Czech Republic during the international window, but administrative complications prevented him from doing so.

For Rangers, that may ultimately prove to be a positive development.

Naderi has become increasingly important to McInnes over recent weeks and has shown why the Rangers manager values his contribution to the team.

The Germany-born forward has quickly established himself as an influential figure in the Rangers attack, with supporters beginning to appreciate the amount of work he contributes beyond simply scoring goals.

His performances in both recent Old Firm matches were particularly important.

Naderi played a key role in McInnes’ tactical approach as Rangers repeatedly caused Celtic problems and applied significant pressure throughout both encounters.

His movement, physical work and ability to contribute to Rangers’ attacking structure made him a difficult player for Celtic to contain.

Rangers avoid an international injury concern

McInnes would therefore have been understandably interested in seeing how Naderi’s international situation developed.

Had the striker travelled to join the Czech Republic squad, he would have faced the possibility of playing additional matches during the international break.

From Rangers’ perspective, that could have created an unnecessary injury concern.

Naderi remaining with his club instead means McInnes can prepare for the next stage of the domestic campaign with one of his most important recent performers available.

The Rangers manager will now hope that the striker can maintain the level he showed against Celtic when club football resumes.

For Celtic, meanwhile, Grant’s comments underline the importance of responding quickly.

The title race remains open, but the recent Old Firm results have shifted the conversation considerably. Rangers have gained momentum, Celtic have suffered setbacks, and the coming weeks will reveal whether those two derby victories represent a temporary swing or the beginning of something more significant in Scottish football.

For now, Grant’s message is clear: Rangers may have changed the mood in Glasgow, but the Premiership title is still a long way from being decided.