Simon Jordan riffs on prideless Rangers record before Martin Keown halts rant with 'embarrassing' Celtic sin
Bullish Simon Jordan stuck the boot into Rangers over their winless record against Celtic this season - before Martin Keown pulled out the European stats to defend Philippe Clement's men.
The Belgian boss will look to earn his first Old Firm victory since stepping into the Ibrox hot seat on Saturday - with the Hoops holding an unbeaten record over their rivals so far this season. The showdown looks to be the most important of the campaign with Celtic holding the chance to move six points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership with a win - while the Light Blues are desperate to close the gap and ramp up the pressure.
But former Crystal Palace owner Jordan can't see Rangers fighting back to claim the title this term after defeat to Ross County and a draw with Dundee saw them hand the advantage in the race to Brendan Rodgers' men. Jordan backed up his point on talkSPORT as he used the winless streak on derby day as key evidence.
Jordan said: "It was perplexing their performance against Ross County. You put that down to a moment in time, and you have the fiasco of the Dundee game with getting the game on and then they go and draw it. They have gone from a side that were that the likely winners of the SPFL to a side that has now fallen by the wayside.
"I don't expect Celtic to allow them back in. I think it is Celtic's title now and Rangers have to build, and say what lessons do we learn from a key couple of games from a season. We have this debate with (Graeme) Souness. Surely you have to get something off the major opposition, and you haven't in any of the games.
"He was saying winning games against the Old Firm doesn't define the league, maybe he's right. He would know a lot more about the that having managed and played up there, but you would think you have to get something from your rivals - and not just a point..."
But Arsenal legend Keown cut in to defend Rangers from the pot shots being lobbed by his fellow pundit. He responded "They did well in Europe though, Rangers, didn't they?
"They did well looking back at the Europa League. They topped their group and there was progress, and Celtic were a little bit embarrassing in the Champions League. You would hope whoever the representative is next season they do a little bit better."