'Celtic's weakest starting XI in 20 years' says ex-Rangers defender

Former Rangers defender and Motherwell coach Maurice Ross thinks the league race will go to the wire – but was shocked by Celtic’s starting team to face Rangers in Saturday's Old Firm match.

Maurice Ross was shocked by Celtic's line-up but thinks the title race will go to the wire.

Neil Lennon was missing several players – including Odsonne Edouard and Ryan Christie – and drafted in young defender Steven Welsh and debutant Diego Laxalt.

But Ross, capped 13 times for Scotland, said the team-line was an Old Firm boost to Rangers who went on to win the match 2-0 and move four points clear at the top of the SPFL Premiership.

He said: “As soon as I saw the team-lines the writing was on the wall for Celtic. They have a good squad but that starting XI is probably the weakest I’ve seen in the last 20 years.”

Discussing the title race on BBC Sportsound he added: “This will go to the wire. I think the gap has closed because Celtic have regressed rather than Rangers having a massive progression.”