STRACHAN HOPING FOR RIVALS SUCCESS

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan desperately wants to see Rangers and Hearts qualify for the UEFA Cup group stages - to maintain a "level playing field" in pursuit of domestic trophies.

The Ibrox club will face Norwegian side Molde in the first round, while the Jambos face an awkward tie against Sparta Prague.

However, with Celtic already guaranteed a place in the lucrative Champions League group stages with Manchester United, Benfica and FC Copenhagen, the Hoops boss wants to see their Bank of Scotland Premier League rivals juggle domestic and European issues at the same time.

Strachan said: "We were knocked out of the Champions League last term by Artmedia Bratislava and then had no European football.

"It was a sore blow but it gave us time to spend on the training pitch with the players.

"Rangers had the SPL and the Champions League to play in - there is no doubt we had an advantage as it gave us breathing space.

"I always want to see Scottish teams progress in Europe but I really do want to see Rangers and Hearts get into the UEFA Cup groups because it will make it a level playing field.

"We are looking forward to the Champions League, but it remains to be seen how we cope with domestic and European football on a week-to-week basis. Few teams do well in both."

Taken from sportinglife.com