SPFL maverick turns Celtic regular as he insists amazing Ange is more Man City than EPL bingo option

The transition from Premiership playmaker to punter has been seamless for Gary Harkins.

As a self-confessed Celtic fan, the former Dundee and Kilmarnock midfielder admits retirement has allowed him to reconnect with his boyhood heroes. It also allowed Record Sport to get a supporter's eye view from the maverick ahead of Sunday's Old Firm Scottish Cup semi-final. There were words of caution as well as compliments for Ange Postecoglou and his players from the 38-year who was part of the Killie side which beat the Hoops in the 2012 League Cup Final, the last time Celtic lost a final at the national stadium. But as Rangers attempt to bring a halt to the Australian's bid for a treble, Harkins believes they are a huge outside bet against a Celtic side he rates as the best in a generation.

He said: "Celtic are far and away the best side in the country, it's also the best Celtic team I have either played against or watched as a fan. I'm not saying there has not been some fantastic players at the club and some quality teams over the last three decades but it's the style of play which sets this current team apart. When they are on their game they are brilliant to watch. Clubs struggle to play against them as they press the opposition so quickly. Then when they have the ball they move it too quickly for teams to cope with. I don't remember watching a more exciting Celtic team to watch and since Ange came in as manager, I've been delighted with them.

"I didn't get to play against Martin O'Neill's Celtic side but I watched the games as a fan. They were a very good side and were hard to beat and there were obviously special players within that. But when I look at Ange's team they are the complete package.

"I look back at the