John Hartson reckons Rangers could enjoy a spell of dominance for years to come after Celtic's disaster season.

Steven Gerrard's men are unbeaten in the Premiership and currently sit 23 points ahead of their rivals with just two games remaining.

They actually had the title sewn up weeks ago with a win over St Mirren less than 24 hours before the Hoops dropped points away to Dundee United, and were 16 points clear by Christmas.

Hartson's former employers Celtic won nine in a row before Gerrard halted their success and the Welshmen now fears his club could seriously suffer against an even more powerful Gers side with the next five years in mind.

Speaking on Go Radio the retired striker said: "You can’t keep making excuses. This isn’t going down to the wire, Rangers had the league wrapped up in December, they were 16 points clear. When Celtic came back from Dubai they had the games against Livingston and gave away a lazy last-minute penalty against Hibs. This has been going on and we can’t keep making excuses.

“It’s been dire it really has.

“I just think as a group it’s all gone wrong. You can blame individuals, you can blame managers, you can blame systems, but this season Rangers have been better this season. They have had a desire about them and a real reason to go and try and win that league.

“We had a previous caller talking about momentum; Rangers might dominate for the next three to five years.

"They might do now what Celtic have previously done.

“They have a manager who was allowed to bring his staff in, they have an assistant manager who is technically very good, but Celtic look so far behind now, there is so much to do there.”