Saturday 31 December 2016 08:10, UK
Rangers manager Mark Warburton has conceded his club are some distance behind Scottish champions Celtic on and off the pitch.
The former Brentford boss was confident Rangers, who face Celtic live on Sky Sports 1 on Saturday, would challenge for the title, but their rivals are on course for the most comfortable defence of the league in their run of five-in-a-row.
Brendan Rodgers has yet to lose a domestic fixture, with 22 victories and one draw this season, as Celtic sit 16 points clear of Rangers having played one game less than Warburtons's team.
"The reality of the situation is there is a very evident financial disparity between the two clubs. Champions League football is a huge difference, and what we have to do is focus on Rangers," Warburton said to Sky Sports News HQ.
"We can't cast envious eyes across the city. We need to get there. We have to do it in a structured manner, that's key.
"We can't spend money we haven't got, we're not going to buy our way out of trouble, and that's not a complaint or a moan, that's just reality.
"It's important to be honest about the whole situation, so we know right now there is a big financial disparity that exists and we have to close it in as short a period of time as possible."
While Celtic have won both meetings between the teams this season, 5-1 in the Premiership and a comfortable 1-0 victory in the League Cup semi-final, Warburton is optimistic ahead of the third meeting at Ibrox, which is live on Sky Sports 1.
Since his arrival at the club at the start of last season, Warburton has yet to lose a home fixture, and he is confident Rangers can extend their run on Saturday.
"Of course we can. We have to be very good. We have to be at the top of our game. We have to be brave in what we do and if we do that we are a very good team. We've shown that time and again, so I've got no doubts about that," Warburton said.
"I believe totally in the players, the quality is evident. Young players are getting better, the senior players have been outstanding, so absolutely looking forward to it.
"We know it will be a tough fixture, but you have to enjoy these games."
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