The start of the 2024/25 season has been nearly perfect for Celtic.
They’ve played 11 matches, scoring 36 goals, winning 10 games, and suffering only one defeat—an away loss to last year’s Champions League finalists, Borussia Dortmund.
Brendan Rodgers has his squad in top shape, with summer signings actively competing for spots in the starting lineup, and some are just beginning to adapt to their new roles at the club.
In contrast, Rangers have faced repeated setbacks off the field while struggling to maintain form on it. They’ve been knocked out of European qualifiers, suffered a heavy derby loss, and now trail by five points in the Scottish Premiership.
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | For | Against | Diff | Points |
| 1 |  Celtic |
7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 1 | 21 | 21 |
| 2 |  Aberdeen |
7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 6 | 9 | 21 |
| 3 |  Rangers |
7 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 4 | 8 | 16 |
| 4 |  Motherwell |
7 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 11 | 8 | 3 | 13 |
Many Rangers supporters are beginning to question the direction that manager Philippe Clement is taking, and critics with Rangers affiliations, like Kris Boyd, share similar concerns. Boyd, a former Ibrox striker, recently acknowledged the widening gap between Celtic and Rangers during a media appearance.
**Kris Boyd’s Take on Celtic’s Strength Compared to Rangers**
During *The Warm-Up* YouTube show, Boyd joined hosts Gordon Duncan and Sam North, alongside Falkirk manager John McGlynn, to review the season so far. Boyd praised Celtic’s dominant start, stating, “Domestically, when you look at Celtic, they are by far the best team in the league.”
He emphasized that Celtic’s strength extends beyond the pitch, noting, “From behind the scenes as well, that goes a long way. We’ve seen clubs in the past with strong on-field teams, but off-field issues can spill onto the pitch. Celtic, right now, are in a very good place both on and off the field. Look at their performances—last weekend against Ross County, they weren’t at their best, but they brought on energy from the bench that helped them secure a result.”
When discussing Rangers, Boyd admitted he could “rant until this time next week” about his frustration with the situation at his former club. He eventually expressed disappointment with their current state, saying, “It’s hard for me to sit here and call it ‘a project.’ I don’t think Rangers Football Club should ever be a project. Growing up, it was a winning machine. It’s been different recently, and you have to give Celtic credit for that.”
Boyd pointed out that one of Rangers’ ongoing issues has been inconsistency, saying, “There were a lot of changes over the summer. This has been one of Rangers’ problems for a number of years now. I don’t think the recruitment policy or the players that have been brought in have strengthened the starting eleven.”
He contrasted this with Celtic’s strategy, mentioning players like Arne Engels and Reo Hatate, who made immediate impacts upon joining the club. “Celtic is signing players that improve the starting eleven, creating a healthier squad that continues to improve. I don’t see that at Rangers. It’s October, and I couldn’t name Rangers’ best eleven, and I don’t think Philippe Clement can either, which is why he’s constantly changing players.”
**Unity, Recruitment, and a Winning Mentality Behind Celtic’s Dominance**
Rangers are currently struggling, even though they manage to win against most Scottish teams. Meanwhile, Celtic remain united in their goals, inspiring their fans, investing heavily, and competing in transfer markets beyond Rangers’ reach. It’s no surprise that Brendan Rodgers’ squad is once again pulling ahead this season.
Celtic has now become the “winning machine” that Rangers fans like Boyd reminisce about. As long as Celtic maintains focus, keeps working hard, and avoids complacency, they will be difficult to catch this season—and potentially for the foreseeable future. The rest of the competition has a lot of ground to make up.
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