John Hartson has told Steven Gerrard to set a more realistic goal at Rangers

John Hartson is giving Steven Gerrard absolutely no chance of winning the Scottish Premiership in his debut season in senior management.

Gerrard took over at Rangers last month and has wasted no time in bringing his top transfer targets to Ibrox ahead of an upcoming training camp in Spain. On Wednesday, Connor Goldson became the Liverpool legend's sixth signing of the summer; joining Scott Arfield, Allan McGregor, Jamie Murphy, Ovie Ejaria and Nikola Katic in the Gers squad. But while the club has kept busy in the transfer market since the window opened, former Celtic forward John Hartson can't bring himself to believe that there's a possibility that Rangers will have enough to wobble the Bhoys' dominance in Scotland. Plenty of Gers supporters remain hopeful that the motivating power of a born winner like Gerrard, coupled with the proper investment, could see their club mount an unlikely title challenge next season. But Hartson has told them that they can forget about that and advised the fans of his former side's fiercest rivals to focus on a more realistic objective.

"They are making a lot of signings and they will have to continue making a few more signings," Hartson told BT Sport.

"Stevie is a class act and he will certainly make an impact in that dressing room. But Rangers’ biggest worry is getting above Aberdeen, never mind Celtic. It is inconceivable to finish above Celtic in terms of where they are on and off the pitch."

"They have had over £50 million from the Champions League experiences in the last two years, they have assets, they have money in the bank, they are an incredible football team riding a crest of a wave and they have just achieved the double treble.

"There is a real feelgood factor around the place and every season ticket is already sold out so it is inconceivable that they are going to beat Celtic for the title.

"I think realistically, their aim should be finishing above Aberdeen, Hibs, Hearts; that should be their target. I know the fans won’t think that way but they are nowhere near Celtic so they should be aiming to get above Aberdeen. Celtic will come back flying. Brendan is going to add to the team that he has got so it will be really interesting to see where it goes."