Alan Brazil takes bait on recurring Celtic gripe before diehard flips Champions League script on Rangers 'challenge'

Concerned Alan Brazil admits he can't put his finger on why Celtic have failed to make their mark on Europe in recent seasons.

However, he batted away concerns over the standard of the Scottish Premiership as he tipped Brendan Rodgers' side for an impact on the Champions League this term going into their opening league phase clash with Slovan Bratislava. Hopes are high at Celtic Park that the Scottish champions can get off to a winning start and make a push for a spot in the top 24 to earn a play-off spot.

On the talkSPORT Breakfast Show, Dean Saunders brought up the recurring concern that the the standard of the Scottish top flight leaves the like of Celtic and Rangers with too big a hurdle to overcome when competing on a European stage. He asked Brazil: "Do you think - without being over-critical of the Scottish league - part of the reason why they are not successful in Europe is because they can coast through three games on the bounce?

The diehard Hoops' fan responded: "You look at Ajax and Feyenoord in the seventies - they weren't exactly having tough games every week and they had success, especially Ajax. What a side they had.

"I don't know what it is, maybe our expectations are too high, maybe we put too much pressure on the players. But, we should be doing better. There is something special about nights at Parkhead. I think Celtic have a chance with this new format, I really do."

Presenter Shabahn Aherne then rhymed off Celtic's £77m cash in the bank after the latest financial accounts while noting the record-breaking £11m signing of Arne Engels last summer. Brazil grasped the opportunity to flip the criticism from Saunders on Rangers.

He said: "By the way, not in Europe but well done Aberdeen. Aberdeen are