Pundit hails ‘absolutely brilliant’ Rangers and Celtic news after latest development
Noel Whelan has insisted it is “absolutely brilliant for Scottish football” to have both Rangers and Celtic in the Champions League group stages for the first time since 2007.
The former Leeds and Aberdeen striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, hailed the Old Firm rivals for “doing things right” and building “competitive squads” on comparatively modest budgets.
Rangers sealed their qualification after beating Union Saint-Gilloise and PSV Eindhoven across two legs, while Celtic qualified automatically after winning the Scottish Premiership last term.
Celtic were placed in Group F during Thursday’s (25 August) draw – and will face Real Madrid, RB Leipzig, and Shakhtar Donetsk home and away.
Rangers will face Liverpool, Napoli, and Ajax after being placed in Group A.
The group stage kicks off on 6 September as part of a jam-packed schedule ahead of November’s World Cup finals in Qatar.
Whelan told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury: “It’s absolutely brilliant for Scottish football,”
“I was over the moon for Rangers when they qualified. We knew Celtic had made it already.
“But what a game to win, away from home against a very good PSV side. That is such an achievement, and it’s fantastic to see the British clubs swamping the Champions League again.
“There are some really appetising games for both Celtic and Rangers ahead.
“Having both giants together is just credit to both clubs for the competitive squads they have built in the last years.
“It’s not an easy feat nowadays with the money involved, but kudos to the clubs for doing things right.”
In other news, pundit backs Christopher Jullien and Celtic teammate to exit as medical reported.