Warburton: Rangers ‘not constantly in Celtic’s shadow’

● Manager unfazed by 16-point gap ahead of Old Firm meeting but says there is a ‘staggering disparity’ in financial resources

For any newly promoted side to be judged in direct comparison to a dominant top-flight team in pursuit of a sixth consecutive league title can be regarded as wholly unreasonable.

For Mark Warburton, however, it is a form of assessment which remains inevitable and unavoidable, regardless of the circumstances Rangers find themselves in.

Already trailing 16 points behind Celtic at the top of the Premiership table, Warburton’s team go into tomorrow’s Old Firm fixture at Ibrox as clear underdogs against the relentless and unbeaten champions who have been revitalised by Brendan Rodgers this season.

The remarkable domestic consistency of Rodgers’ men has sharpened the scrutiny placed on Rangers’ struggle to find the kind of sustained winning momentum craved by a support which for so many years was able to take it for granted. Warburton

remains unflinching in his own belief he is on track to take Rangers back to the summit of Scottish football, while also finding it necessary to issue reminders of just how dark a place the club is still emerging from in the aftermath of its financial collapse almost five years ago.

The Englishman describes the gulf which now exists between Celtic and Rangers in terms of revenue and resources as a “staggering disparity” and has again warned it is not something which can be quickly addressed.

Warburton, though, bristles at any suggestion Rangers are now firmly in the shadow of their Old Firm rivals who have established a firm superiority in Scottish football since 2012.

“This is the most successful club in the world,” he insisted. “We are not constantly in the shadow of Celtic. There is no hiding where the club has been in the last three or four years. Are we there yet? No, we are not. Will we get back there? I have got absolutely no doubt that this club will get back to the top. I have got no doubts in my mind whatsoever.

“I said we wanted to be highly competitive this season and I think we are. If we get runnersup spot in the Premiership and qualify for Europe, having just been promoted with a young squad, you tell me if that is a good season or not?

“If that is not recognised, all