Gap to Old Firm widest in 40 years
BY MICHAEL GANNON BRIAN RICE reckons the gulf between the Old Firm and the rest of Scottish football is as big as he’s seen in 40 years.
The Hamilton boss was hurting after his side’s 5-0 thumping by Rangers at Ibrox yesterday.
But he insisted his men shouldn’t feel down – because Gers and champions Celtic are on a different level to every other team in the league.
Rice said: “Celtic and Rangers are on a different planet to anyone else in this division. The gap between Celtic, Rangers and the rest is as big as I’ve seen in my 40 years in Scottish football.
“I know Celtic lost today (at Livingston) but under normal circumstances the gap is enormous.
“It was really tough but it was just what I expected coming here.
“I’ve seen a lot of Rangers. I keep saying it – their attacking play is as good as I’ve seen in a long time.
“I can’t praise Rangers highly enough although I’m here to look after my own team. I’m trying to take the positives out of what I saw.
“We ended up with a lot of young players on the pitch and they were showing for the ball. They never gave in – they kept going.
“I’ve seen teams in the English Premier League lose eight, teams in the Champions League losing seven.”
Rice admits the fortnight off for international football has come at a good time after the Sunday stuffing.
He said: “Normally I don’t like the international break – I liked playing Saturday after Saturday as that’s when football should be played.
“But this time I’m quite looking forward to the break. We’ve had a tough run of games.” GEORGE EDMUNDSON couldn’t have enjoyed an easier starting debut for Rangers in a win over Hamilton which coincided with hitting the Premiership summit.
It was a satisfying first bow for the 22-year-old defender following his arrival at Rangers this summer and he believes the experience within the Ibrox squad is more than enough to ensure that Celtic won’t dislodge them from top spot.
As the top flight takes a breather during the international break, Steven Gerrard’s side took full advantage of Celtic’s defeat at Livingston by moving two points clear of the champions after burying Hamilton under a five-goal blitz without reply.
But Edmundson is convinced the likes of Jermain Defoe, Alfredo Morelos, Connor Goldson and Steven Davis are the dressing-room leaders who can guide Rangers towards a title challenge and cope with the pressure by relishing the chance of preventing their Old Firm rivals making it nine in a row.
He said: “I’m sure you can see that character and we have got players like Jermain, Morelos, Connor, Steven Davis. They are all top players and they handle the pressure really well.
“It really makes the other players thrive on it.
“They have been at the top for a long time now and as a young player it is good to learn from them and how they handle certain situations.
“It is massive and we have got loads of leaders in the changing room. Look through the team, everyone brings something different and it is going to help us all the way.
“Every game now is one where we are going in to win and we will take the games as they come.
“But after the international break we will be looking for three points from the next challenge we face.
“To be honest, I didn’t know Celtic had dropped points until after our game. I just focus on Rangers, I’m not too fussed about what other teams are doing.
“It feels good to be top but there
“The manager spoke to me before the game and told me to keep it simple and to do the basics well.
“I just tried to do that to the best of my abilities. I have had to be patient as there are three other really good centre-halves at the club and I am one of the young ones here.
“So I needed to be patient and I feel as though I did all right today.”
Edmundson