Journalist shares why Celtic fans must back Rangers

Celtic supporters should support Rangers against Dynamo Kyiv if they have “any sense”, according to Matthew Lindsay.

The Glasgow Times’ chief football writer made the comments in his column for the publication’s online edition [10 August].

Lindsay feels Celtic should get behind Rangers, as well as Kilmarnock and St Mirren, as Scotland’s UEFA coefficient is at risk of slipping.

“If the snipers had any sense and were capable of taking a more considered long-term view. they would be willing James Tavernier and his team mates to perform at their very best in their rematch with Oleksandr Shovkovskyi’s men and progress,” Lindsay wrote.

“Why should they put their tribal allegiances to one side? Because Scotland is currently staring into a European abyss and it will be hugely beneficial for their own clubs both financially and reputationally down the line if their old adversaries excel. The alternative does really not bear thinking about.”

Lindsay added that Scotland risk dropping to 16th in the UEFA coefficient rankings, which would mean fewer representatives in Europe and more qualifying rounds to progress through.

Rangers favourites to advance in Champions League

Last week’s 1-1 draw thanks to a last-gasp goal from Cyriel Dessers leaves Rangers as favourites to advance in the qualifying tie with Dynamo Kyiv.

Even had it finished 1-0, Philippe Clement would have been confident of overturning that deficit on home soil this coming week.

Dynamo Kyiv are a ‘name’, so to speak, but they are not the force they once were and are there to be beaten at Hampden Park.

As for Celtic supporting Rangers, well that simply will not happen – and neither would that be the case if the roles were reversed.

Rangers fans would not leap out of their seats at seeing a Celtic player find the net in a qualifier if it had a positive long-term effect for the Gers.

Of course, in an ideal world, Scotland retains its current UEFA coefficient and then it is down to those not automatically through to qualify.

All that matters is that a packed Hampden is fully behind the Light Blues on Tuesday (13 August) and the players get the job done.

In other Rangers news, Alan Rough has questioned a team news update pre-Motherwell.

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