Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
Sport
Ross Pilcher

Lubo Moravcik shares Celtic and Rangers 'need' theory as Slovakian points to competitive nature

Rangers and Celtic both need each other according to Lubo Moravcik as the 'Old Firm' debates contunues.

Rangers embraced the term before and during the latest meeting between the sides, using it on pitch-side ads and the tunnel arch at Ibrox.

Celtic have avoided the moniker since Gers' liquidation in 2012, referring to the fixture as the 'Glasgow derby.'

Hoops fans tend to rigidly follow the club's lead, while there are a section of the Light Blues' support that also prefer to swerve it.

But Moravcik believes the two are so intertwined and the rivalry has a beneficial cause and effect aspect.

He reckons that Celtic are 'half' without Rangers and they push each other on to be more successful on the pitch.

But he also warned Giovanni van Bronckhorst that he might need to sacrifice either the Europa League or Scottish Cup to ensure they get one trophy at least.

The Ibrox men face Braga on Thursday before taking on Ange Postecoglou's side at Hampden in the Scottish Cup semi-final on Sunday.

And Moravcik said: “I don’t know the situation at Rangers but without Rangers Celtic are half. It’s not a full Celtic.

“Celtic need Rangers, Rangers need Celtic. Scottish football needs both.

“I hope Rangers keep going because even if you lose next season you can win.

“This season Rangers were much better in Europe than Celtic. Against Bodo they were no good, we have to say. I didn’t even know which country they came from but they beat Roma on Thursday night in the last minute.

“When you play in Europe it can be tiring and you are playing against a Celtic team who are not in Europe and are really motivated to win the league.

“Rangers have a second leg against Braga and a semi-final against Celtic. They maybe have to sacrifice something.

“If you want to win both you can lose both. If you are greedy you can end up with nothing.

“Everyone wants to win everything but it’s hard three days after playing Braga to play Celtic, especially without a big player like [Alfredo] Morelos.

“It’s not an easy situation for Van Bronckhorst. If you’re greedy you can end up with nothing. If you focus on one maybe you win it.”

For your chance to win HOME tickets to Cinch SPFL matches each week across ALL FOUR divisions just enter our competition below. You can enter once each week to be in with a chance of winning. If the form isn't working (CLICK HERE)...Good Luck!

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.