Ange Postecoglou praises Rangers Europa run but reminds everyone of Lisbon Lions

Celtic host Rangers in Sunday's Old Firm

Ange Postecoglou
Author: Gabriel AntoniazziPublished 29th Apr 2022

Ange Postecoglou praised rivals Rangers run to the Europa League semi-final but was quick to remind everyone of Celtic's 1967 European Cup success when talking about Scottish clubs in continental football.

Rangers visit Celtic Park on Sunday in the midst of a their semi-final with Giovanni van Bronckhorst's team 1-0 down ahead of their home leg against RB Leipzig.

Celtic exited three European tournaments this season but Hoops manager Postecoglou dismissed suggestions that Rangers had shown the way for Scottish football.

When asked whether Rangers' run demonstrated how Scottish clubs can make their mark and whether it gave him a taste for next season, Postecoglou said: "Scottish clubs, including this one, have made their mark in Europe before, I don't think we have learned anything new this year.

"Rangers have done very well and Giovanni has done a great job in getting them to the semi-finals. I guess from their perspective they are still in the tie and have an opportunity to get to a final, which is great.

"But if you want evidence of how well Scottish clubs can do in Europe, there's a trophy I can show you just down the road here, mate."

Celtic midfielder Nir Bitton will be available for the weekend's match after sitting out recent games with a fitness issue but he returned to training on Friday.

Right-back Josip Juranovic remains on the sidelines with the injury he picked up in the recent Scottish Cup defeat by Rangers at Hampden.

Gers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst will assess his squad ahead of the trip to the East End of Glasgow but is likely to have the same squad to choose from as he did last night.