Jose Enrique warns Rangers and Celtic they'll be Champions League no hopers for the long haul

Former Liverpool star Jose Enrique believes Celtic and Rangers will be reduced to needing a Champions League miracle in the coming years.

The Spaniard admits the Ibrox side's early resistance caught the eye but it mattered little as rampaging Liverpool turned up the heat to seal a 7-1 pasting to keep Rangers pointless. Celtic have enjoyed little success in terms of results in Group A with only point secured before their hopes of reaching the last 16 were ended by RB Leizpig.

And Enrique cited the Calvin Bassey's money-spinning Rangers exit to Ajax as the reason why both sides of Glasgow's big two will struggle to continually discover gems to thrive at European football's top table. Speaking to Midnite, he said:. “In the first half, Rangers were not out of their depth. Then in the second half, and at home, it was different. But I don’t think you can compare. In the Champions League the biggest teams are there, and occasionally Celtic and Rangers can spring a surprise, but normally this is the real world and this is what happens.

“When Rangers have a good player, if they can sell him they sell him. Celtic are the same. For Liverpool it’s not that way, for Napoli it’s not that way. Or if they sell, they buy big again. It’s a completely different world, so it is what it is.

“Calvin Bassey, a really good defender, went from Rangers to Ajax for around £20m. So when you take out their best players, it’s very difficult for them to sign better players and stay competitive. Some years there is a surprise, but it’s normal for them both to go out early."

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