Mark Walters Urges Rangers to Seize Their Chance as Celtic Struggle

Mark Walters believes Rangers have an opening to challenge Celtic for the Scottish Premiership title, and says Derek McInnes’s side must take advantage while their rivals are faltering. The former Ibrox player, who won three titles with the club, is pleased to see Rangers back in the contest after a domestic unbeaten run that has reached 12 matches. Walters says the league should remain the priority, even as Rangers prepare for a Premier Sports Cup final against Hibernian at Hampden on December 13. He considers a cup triumph important, but believes the championship would matter more over the course of the season and would be the clearest measure of McInnes’s progress. Speaking about Celtic’s problems, Walters said Rangers had a chance to apply pressure. He recalled advice from former Rangers manager Graeme Souness about pressing an opponent when they are struggling, while adding that he would put the point in more measured terms. In Walters’s view, Rangers should be assertive not only in the Old Firm matches but against every team they face. He also warned that title races can turn on points dropped against clubs lower in the table. The major fixtures attract the attention, he said, but Rangers must be consistent in the less celebrated games if they are to keep pace at the top. Walters said competing for honours ought to be expected at Rangers and argued that finishing second would not be enough. A cup win could lift supporters’ spirits, he suggested, but the league title is the prize McInnes needs to pursue as soon as possible. Walters added that he would welcome a successful season after previously switching off his phone when Rangers were losing, and joked that better results would let him tease friends who support Celtic.