Mind the gap – Brown reckons champions Celtic still too far ahead

Former Celtic captain Scott Brown claims the gap between the champions and Rangers remains significant on the park - and he has tipped his old club to get stronger and stronger after the winter break.

Celtic went into the mid-season interval eight points clear in the cinch Premiership, although Rangers have two games in hand. Brendan Rodgers' side earned a 2-1 triumph over their city rivals before closing the first part of the season with a convincing 3-0 win over St Mirren to make it four victories in a row.

The top-flight clubs resume their season in the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup in the third weekend of January, with Philippe Clement's Rangers side looking to build on their Viaplay Cup success.

Brown said: "Celtic have a strong squad and, as you saw when they played the other week, the gap was quite big, the way the Celtic front three pressed, the quality they have got, that's the difference.

"When you play in big games at home, you are expected to win and put on a show and that's what Celtic did.

"I thought they played exceptionally well, especially the first 75-80 minutes, they dominated, they were on the front foot, and they looked like the only team that was going to score.

"They have put themselves in a great position and now they are going to get stronger and stronger, and they will look fitter.”

Brown, speaking at a Scottish Gas event, added: "Usually going from New Year to the end of the season, Celtic are very, very strong. I will be looking forward to seeing how they go forward in the ways Brendan wants them to go forward."