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LEE CLAIMS HOOPS ARE TITLE FAVOURITES

Lee claims Hoops are title favourites

Friday February 5,2010

By Michael Baillie

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LEE McCulloch cranked up the SPL mind games by insisting Celtic are favourites for the title.

Rangers have a 10-point lead at the top of the table but midfielder McCulloch claims the pendulum has swung in their Old Firm rivals’ favour after they added eight recruits in the past month.

While Gers were unable to bring in any permanent signings for the third consecutive transfer window – with Walter Smith warning the situation will only get worse in the summer – Celtic manager Tony Mowbray dramatically overhauled his squad, led by the audacious loan swoop for Robbie Keane.

McCulloch said: “It’s a good gap, but to be honest with you I still see Celtic as favourites, especially with us not bringing anyone in during the transfer window and Celtic signing eight players.

“Celtic have made some fantastic signings.

“In my book it makes them favourites for the title.

“Two years ago we were seven points ahead and we threw it away. Then last

season Celtic were seven points ahead and we ended up winning the league.

“So, a 10-point gap, a seven-point gap, whatever it is, isn’t as healthy as it sounds.

“It can still go either way and I can see Celtic coming with a late charge.

“They can sign eight players and we can’t sign anybody.

“Celtic are in a position of strength.

“But it’s not as if we’re giving up or anything like that. We’ll see how it goes.”

Rangers remain on course for a domestic clean sweep after they sealed their place in the Co-op Cup semi-final with a 2-0 win over St Johnstone.

But Rangers boss Smith has warned that even if they complete the treble it won’t ease their financial woes.

Smith said: “It doesn’t take away from the fact we have a problem.

“You would need to be blind to think we don’t have a problem that, for a team of our standing, we should not have – and my concern is that it will continue.

“Everything will not be all right at the end of the season. It will only get worse.

“We are delighted to be in the final but anybody who thinks it is going to get better in the summer is deluding themselves.”