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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Aidan Smith

West Ham boss David Moyes makes Celtic and Rangers European levels comparison claim

David Moyes reckons Celtic and Rangers are on the same page as West Ham in terms of competitiveness in European football.

Celtic qualified for the Champions League automatically this year after winning the Scottish Premiership title last season, but Rangers will have to make do with the Europa League after they lost out to PSV in the qualifiers.

Moyes knows the different levels of European football after winning the Conference League with West Ham last term, but he feels consistent results in the Champions League can be game-changers for the likes of Celtic and Rangers.

He said on talkSPORT: "Realistically, I am of the opinion that clubs like West Ham, whether it be Brighton, even Rangers and Celtic, have no chance of winning the Champions League. Certainly Rangers and Celtic in the current climate.

"But that tournament now that you have put it on the map, you saw how much it meant to the West Ham supporters. Tell us a bit about how you felt about it."

Moyes was in agreement with his former international roommate Ally McCoist in terms of the levels of European football and he admits the Conference League was the perfect platform for the Hammers to strut their stuff.

He explained: "I agree with everything you are saying, Coisty.

"To be a European winner is something really special. The night was magical for us and for us to score in the last minute makes it even better.

"But I look the year before what it meant to Jose Mourinho, they (Roma) were the first winners of the competition. Jose has been serial winner and how much it meant to him.

"So for anybody to win it, and you look at the European competitions this year, the level... we are in a competition with Brighton and Liverpool. Not to mention the teams from overseas.

"The Conference League this year will be incredibly difficult to win. And yes, I agree, the Champions League is so elite and to be able to beat Man City or Inter Milan, it takes some doing nowadays. But the Conference League might give you a chance and UEFA have done a good job in getting a third competition out there which can involve a different level of team."

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