Rangers 'significant gap' behind Celtic triggers transfer funds question as massive rebuild needed

Tam McManus isn't convinced Rangers can afford a major summer overhaul as they just don't have the funds to compete with Celtic.

Manager Philippe Clement admitted earlier this afternoon that he feels he needs a massive revamp of the playing squad to challenge for next season's trophies after essentially losing the title on Saturday. McManus, though, believes the Hoops will splash the cash on a few top stars to consolidate their "significant gap" and he's not sure Gers will have the finances to do the same.

That could, for the ex-Hibs star, be the difference between the two clubs next year again and with some big players in the current Ibrox squad expected to depart, there's lots to be done.

"I still think there is a significant gap," he told PLZ Soccer. "And I get where he's coming from, Celtic were full strength at the weekend. That was, in my opinion, their strongest team and Rangers were quite a bit off their strongest team. So you've got to give them that.

"I think Celtic this season, there's a lot of improvement to come from that Celtic team, and I think Rangers in the summer, Lundstram will be away, Barisic will be away, Goldson could possibly be away, the goalkeeper could be away. Rangers have a massive rebuilding job and I don't know if they've got the money to go and put it up to Celtic again next season.

"I'm reading on social media already that Celtic fans are saying, 'We're getting all this money, it's time to bury Rangers'. Celtic are not gonna go and spend £20-£30million, they're just not gonna do it. Even though they've got that money in the bank, it's gonna be do Rangers have the money to get closer. Celtic will sign two or three quality players in my opinion, I don't think they'll go nuts on transfer fees, but have Rangers got the money or financial backing to go and sign five, six, seven quality players?

"If they don't do that, Celtic win the league again next season."