Rangers assistant manager Issame Charai has attempted to divert attention away from his team ahead of Sunday’s Glasgow derby at Celtic Park.
With the Hoops comfortably at the top of the Scottish Premiership, a win would increase their lead to 19 points, bringing the Bhoys one step closer to capturing their 55th league title.
Charai joined Philippe Clement’s coaching team on January 25th and has remained in his position despite the Belgian’s dismissal. Now, he is supporting interim manager Barry Ferguson as Rangers try to salvage what remains of their season.
The Ibrox club’s difficult campaign has seen managerial changes, supporter unrest and increased pressure to deliver wins, making Sunday’s derby all the more exciting if Celtic win.
With Celtic in pole position and seeming unstoppable under Brendan Rodgers, all eyes are on Rangers to deliver. The Hoops have demonstrated their class throughout the season, and with the crown within reach, a win at home would propel them one step closer to victory. While Rangers cling to any hope of winning the derby, Celtic’s consistency and quality have left them behind.
Charai Highlights Financial Disparity
Charai has used the financial gap between the two clubs to try to lower expectations. Speaking to (Gazet Van Antwerpen), he stated: “Rangers do not have the same financial resources as Celtic, but they do have a lot of young talent that can pay off in the long run.”
His statements, however, may raise some eyebrows. While Celtic operate at a higher level financially, Rangers still have a far larger budget than the rest of the league—with the exception of the Hoops. The assumption that economics are a key hurdle for Rangers misses the fact that they continue to outspend other Scottish clubs and have had the means to challenge Celtic in recent years.
With Charai and Rangers attempting to divert attention, the reality remains the same: Celtic control their own destiny. A win on Sunday would not only expand the gap at the top, but would also send a clear statement that Rodgers’ side is well on its way to completing a domestic triple. While Charai tries to minimise expectations, Celtic will be all focused on delivering another statement win in front of a packed Paradise.
