Rangers fly the flag as Celtic suffer’serious shame’ over what transpired, according to Michael Gannon.

Michael Gannon feels Rangers “have been flying the flag” for Scottish football in European play, despite Celtic’s inadequacies in that regard.

Philippe Clement’s side has a chance to win a triple this season. The Gers are currently top of the Scottish Premiership, in the Scottish Cup quarter-finals, and still competing in the UEFA Europa League.

After a 2-2 draw in the first leg of their Round of 16 encounter with Benfica in Portugal (7 March), Clement and his players will be confident in their ability to win at Ibrox. Gannon feels they are the Glasgow giants who continue to put Scottish football on the map.

Gannon wrote in the Sunday Mail (page 56, 10 March) that Celtic had a free run at the Champions League for a decade, but failed miserably.

“Six group stage appearances in 14 years and no knockout wins since Joe Biden was a child is a major disgrace. Meanwhile, despite their drop in the leagues, the Rangers have continued to fly the flag. If anything, the Irish have not received enough credit for their recent Euro victories.

“Coming through all the qualifiers and getting to the Europa League Final in 2022 – and within a penalty of winning the thing – is one of the greatest achievements in Scottish football history.”