A well-known Scottish football pundit has made an eye-opening statement regarding the wage disparity between Rangers and Celtic, highlighting a significant shift in the financial dynamics between the two clubs.
In recent years, the two Glasgow giants have been drastically different both on and off the pitch. While Celtic’s financial situation is a source of admiration for many, with the club appearing poised to secure yet another Treble this season and continue making waves in the Champions League, Rangers find themselves struggling. Currently, Rangers trail their rivals by 16 points in the league after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Motherwell over the weekend, while Celtic cruised to a 5-2 victory over St Mirren. The disparity doesn’t stop there—Rangers have also been eliminated from the Scottish Cup, lost in the Premier Sports Cup final, and their only remaining hope for success this season lies in the Europa League. This downturn in form ultimately led to the dismissal of manager Philippe Clement following a 2-0 loss to St Mirren, with Barry Ferguson stepping in as interim manager.
Historically, Rangers have not been able to replicate the success they once enjoyed. Since their demotion to the lower leagues in 2012, they have only managed to secure one league title in the top flight, alongside a few Scottish Cup and League Cup victories. However, their overall performance has not lived up to the expectations of their passionate supporters. Amid this period of underachievement, pundit Andy Walker made a surprising claim that has drawn attention in Scottish football circles.
Walker revealed that not long ago, Rangers were actually outspending Celtic in terms of wages. On Go Radio, he remarked: “It’s not so long ago, and I don’t know if it still is, but Rangers had a bigger wage bill than Celtic.” While acknowledging that financial investment is crucial, Walker pointed out that spending money without the right players or mentality is ultimately a waste. “You can spend all the money you want, but if you’re not getting the right character or the right player with the ability to handle the pressure, then you’re just throwing money away.”
Walker contrasted this with Celtic’s approach, noting that the Hoops have consistently made smart investments. He explained, “Time and time again, Celtic will go and spend one, two, three million on a player and sell them for seven, eight, nine, ten million or more.” In contrast, Walker criticized Rangers’ recent business practices, particularly their failure to secure deals with players before their contracts expired. He expressed disbelief at the club’s lack of strategic planning off the pitch, stating, “We’ve spoken about it for so long. It’s been an astonishing lack of business practice off the park.”
Amidst these financial and performance challenges, one bright spot for Celtic has been the emergence of winger Yang, who has impressed in recent games, including Celtic’s win over St Mirren. Yang, a South Korean player, has been in excellent form lately, scoring a key goal as Celtic continued their strong run. Walker took note of his performance, praising Yang’s ability to seize the opportunity despite not being a regular starter. “Great to see someone who hasn’t really got, you know, a regular spot. He was given a chance, and he took it. And that’s always good to see.”
Walker continued, emphasizing the importance of competition for places in Celtic’s starting lineup, which he believes highlights the strength of the squad. “You want players who are determined to make their mark. The level of competition to get into the starting 11 for big games every week, I think that tells you a lot about Celtic at the moment.” He also noted that Yang could prove to be a valuable asset for Celtic, particularly as a substitute. “Yang, I think, will show that if he’s not going to play in a big game, he’s the type of guy who could come on and make his mark as a substitute.”
The contrast between the two clubs’ financial positions and business practices is becoming increasingly evident. While Celtic continues to thrive both on the pitch and in the transfer market, Rangers are still grappling with underperformance and poor business decisions that have hindered their progress. The wage gap, once in Rangers’ favor, now seems to be part of the broader challenges facing the club as they attempt to rebuild and compete with their dominant rivals.
