Celtic and Rangers 'best away days in Europe' alongside Barcelona and Real Madrid

New research has hailed Celtic and Rangers as two of the top five European away days for fans.

The Glasgow giants have a strong reputation for brilliant atmospheres at their Parkhead and Ibrox homes. Celtic is famed for its special European nights and Rangers experienced several of their own last season en-route to the Europa League final in Seville, welcoming fans from Portugal, Germany and more over that tilt.

Findings on a new campaign from betting.com called The Away Day Index has rated European venues out of 100, points earned for categories out of 10 such as travel links, Google Review ratings, number of bars, hotels, airports, train stations, away end allocation and average away ticket. Spanish giants Real Madrid are top with a score of 77.3 out of 100, their Bernabeu stadium being a convenient 6.4 miles from Madrid Airport playing a factor. Rivals Barcelona are second with a score of 76.8.

Rangers come in on the podium via their 75.9 score and Celtic get into the top five with a total points haul of 68.

Perhaps to the surprise of some Ibrox fans, May's Europa League final host stadium Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium - home of Sevilla - takes fourth on 72 points. The venue was heavily criticised for a lack of water in soaring heat during the showpiece event.

Both clubs return to European football this season, with Celtic already booking a Champions League group stage spot while Rangers enter that competition at the third qualifying round.