The right manager can swing title pendulum immediately, says Smith

GORDON SMITH insists Rangers can swing the Old Firm pendulum of power in just one season — and cited Ange Postecoglou as proof.

- By Craig Swan

The Light Blues are staring up at a 17-point gap in the title race and go into Sunday’s final derby of the season with nothing to play for.

Celtic, meanwhile, are a Scottish Cup final win over Aberdeen away from securing back-to-back trebles under Brendan Rodgers.

But former Gers striker and director of football Smith believes all is not lost and points to past examples where the dominant force in Glasgow’s rivalry changed fast.

The latest came after Rangers stormed to a 25-point title success under Steven Gerrard in 2020/21.

They were in prime position to kick on, but Postecoglou halted them in their tracks and did so by building almost an entire new team in one season at Celtic.

Asked if his old club could replicate what happened across the city under the Aussie, Smith replied: “Yes, it’s doable, no doubt about it. It’s just about getting the right players in, even with a certain group of players as well.

“Steve Clarke gets credit for it at Kilmarnock when he came in. He got them into Europe because he turned around the players he actually had.

“So a certain manager can improve certain players. It’s also about the right recruitment.