Chris Sutton backs Rangers but Celtic legend is left baffled by Ally McCoist rant

Chris Sutton believes Rangers joining Celtic in the Champions League group stages would give Scottish football its biggest boost in over a decade.

The former Parkhead striker feels the game’s standing on the continent will already get a crucial lift by his old club returning to the glamour sections after a five-year exile. But Sutton thinks that the Ibrox club getting in there alongside their Glasgow rivals will offer another massive shot in the arm.

It is 15 years since both Celtic and Rangers were involved in the group stages at the same time. Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s team can book their place with a play-off win over PSV Eindhoven. Sutton says there’s massive significance in two clubs making it through and also Hearts sinking FC Zurich to surge into the group stages of the Europa League. Motherwell’s nightmare exit to Sligo Rovers and the manner of Dundee United's devastating setback against AZ Alkmaar have been deeply-disappointing early-term setbacks.

But the Record Sport columnist feels the remaining trio can still salvage the situation over the next fortnight. He said: “People are quick to sink the boot into Scottish football and it’s been sad to see Motherwell and United go out at their first hurdles, especially the manner of the exits. But to get two teams into the Champions League groups would be a real marker point for the game.

"Outside of the elite countries, there won’t be many who have two teams in there and what a lift it would give to the game. Celtic being in there is already a massive thing. That’s where you want to be as a club. For the prestige and the finance. People see it across the globe. Players see it. You see the atmosphere at Celtic Park and it can make the difference between attracting