The prospect of either Celtic or Rangers going all the way to Istanbul next June and lifting the Champions League trophy is a long, long shot. But in the eyes of major bookmaker William Hill the Scottish Premiership champions are a longer shot than their rivals across the city.
And, bizarrely, that’s despite Ange Postecoglou’s Hoops side going straight into the group stage of UEFA’s premier competition courtesy of last season’s title win. Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side still have to overcome PSV Eindhoven over two legs in their playoff tie just to ensure they are even in the group stage draw on August 26.
That alone should surely mean Celtic have a greater chance of success in a competition they were the first British side to win in 1967. However, it is more recent form in Europe that appears to be behind this. Rangers went all the way to the Europa League Final last season, taking some huge scalps along the way such as German giants Borussia Dortmund before losing the final in Seville to Eintracht Frankfurt.
