Chris Sutton thinks Rangers Champions League 'burden' will benefit Celtic as Premiership starters gun fires

Chris Sutton reckons the "burden" of Champions League qualifying could cost Rangers vital ground in the title race.

Michael Beale's boys will face Servette in the third qualifying round next week after the Swiss side snuck past Genk on penalties after playing for 115 minutes with ten men in Belgium on Wednesday night. They now travel to Ibrox before welcoming the Light Blues to Geneva six days later. Triumph over two legs and Gers will be 180 minutes away from the group stage again, having overcome PSV in the playoff round last term.

What came after isn't fondly remembered and there's a burning desire to return and give a much better showing of themselves against the best Europe has to offer. However, Sutton believes Celtic can steal a march on their rivals by getting off to a flier domestically. The Hoops welcome Ross County as their first opponents of the 2023/24, hours before Rangers head to Kilmarnock.

With their spot in the groups already secure, Brendan Rodgers' men able to focus solely on the Premiership until the Euro action gets underway. And Sutton can see them getting out in front and not looking back in their quest for a third title in succession.

"It's very different for Brendan Rodgers this time around in terms of the team he's taken over, he's taken over a treble-winning team," he told Sky Sports. "I don't think anybody would argue that Brendan isn't a good appointment and he's come back with a point to prove.

"Is Brendan a good coach? Absolutely. Is he taking over a good team? Yes, albeit he is a player down and the standards of Postecoglou were so high.

"We know Glasgow is unforgiving and there can only be one winner so it's going to be a really interesting season. The most important thing is Celtic