Former Mansfield Town midfielder David Caldwell believes Rangers cannot afford to dismiss their early-season points deficit to Celtic, insisting every point could prove crucial in what could become another tightly contested title race.
The Rangers title challenge is still in its early stages, but Caldwell believes the current gap at the top should not simply be written off as something that can be addressed later in the campaign.
Caldwell, who began his playing career with Inverness Caledonian FC, half of the precurser to Inverness Caledonian Thistle, believes recent history demonstrates how important every point can become when the margin between the leading sides is so small.
Celtic won the Scottish Premiership last season by just two points, with the title ultimately decided on the final day of the campaign.
For Caldwell, that is evidence that points dropped early in a season can carry significant consequences when the title race reaches its conclusion.
“Early stages of the league and fans say it doesn’t matter as it’s early days,” Caldwell said.
“In marginal leagues it does matter. Last season Celtic won the league on the last day of the competition and by two points.”
Consistency could prove key
Caldwell believes Rangers have plenty of time to improve their performances and results, but stresses that ultimately the league table is determined by the number of points collected throughout the campaign.
While teams can go through periods of improved form, he believes consistency will ultimately determine who is best placed to challenge for the title.
“Form and consistency [are] important,” he said.
“While you may improve your form over periods of the season, it still comes down to how many points you amass, simply arithmetic?”
Rangers currently have ground to make up on Celtic, with the five-point difference giving their city rivals an early advantage after only two Premiership matches.
However, Caldwell does not believe the gap necessarily tells the full story of how the season will develop.
He expects the four Old Firm meetings to have a major influence on the eventual outcome, particularly if the teams remain close together heading into the latter stages of the campaign.
“The benchmark is currently Celtic,” Caldwell said. “Rangers I’m sure will find their way.”
“The five-point gap will come down to the Old Firm derbies, so no change?”
Hearts provide an early warning
Caldwell also pointed to Hearts’ prediciment after running Celtic close and finishing above Rangers last time out.
Hearts emerged as a surprise challenger last campaign, prompting comparisons with Leicester City’s remarkable Premier League title triumph in 2015/16.
Caldwell described Hearts as potentially having enjoyed a “Leicester City moment”, but questioned whether they can maintain that level into a new season.
“Hearts I’m certain were a Leicester City moment?” he said. “Where are they now?”
The comments underline the uncertainty surrounding the Scottish Premiership at this stage of the season.
The immediate objective for Rangers will be to close the five-point gap to Celtic rather than rely on the assumption that their rivals will eventually drop enough points.
With the quartet of Old Firm fixtures still to come and a long season ahead, there remains plenty of opportunity for the title picture to change.
