Kris Boyd has claimed Rangers would be top of the league if Celtic star Kyogo Furuhashi was an Ibrox player.

The former Rangers frontman reckons the clubs are separated by the difference in quality at the top end of the pitch.

And should Kyogo be a Rangers player, Boyd insists there's an argument that they would be the club at the Scottish Premiership summit.

Celtic fan favourite Kyogo has scored 20 goals so far in the league this season - another six in all competitions - as the Parkhead club boasts a nine-point gap over Rangers.

For Boyd, there's a notable difference in output and impact between Kyogo and the Rangers forward options of Alfredo Morelos, Antonio Colak and Kemar Roofe.

He told Sky Sports: "For me, the difference between the two teams at this moment in time is the main striker.

"Celtic have got one who is a threat that I have spoken about, Rangers with that lack of moment as such at the top end where Rangers can squeeze the game because they trust the two centre-backs to deal with whoever is playing that nine for Rangers.

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"Whereas, Goldson and Davies, it doesn't matter if you are doing really well against Kyogo - you switch off for a second and he is away.

"His pace terrifies defenders, his movement terrifies them and if you do go in there they have got so many runners who will go beyond as well.

"It's crucial that Rangers stick together and don't start getting dragged all over the place because Celtic will exploit the gaps that are left - and don't get caught up in the atmosphere because it will be fever pitch."

Asked if Rangers would be top of the league if Kyogo was in the Ibrox team, Boyd said: "I think it would be very difficult to put an argument up against it because of the impact that he has had, the goals he has scored.

"But not only that, teams retreat ten or 15 yards because of his pace, because of his movement and that then allows space for the players behind him.

"We've seen it with Celtic in terms of their midfield but Rangers have got some good players in there as well and it would maybe allow them more time on the ball. I think for Ryan Kent as well, someone to go and play with.

"Yeah, I probably would say that [Rangers would be top over Celtic if they had Kyogo]. I think the difference - both teams have got fantastic players - but there's a reason why strikers are the most important players on the pitch.

"The difference for me has been the goals that Kyogo has been able to score but not only that, also what he brings to the Celtic team in terms of his workrate going and closing down, getting after people, starting the tempo for the press as well.

"His movement is second to none and he terrifies defenders, they don't want to get too close because if he spins he'll get away from them and if you drop off he'll be able to turn and see a pass as well.

"He's a clever, clever footballer. But as I said, Alfedo Morelos has done it before. There's no doubt if he gets himself back into the shape he was in before he could still have a threat in this game.

"Only Michael Beale will know what condition he is in and if he is ready to go and have an impact that he has had in this fixture before. Only time will tell."