Motherwell chief executive Alan Burrows says every Scottish club should want Rangers to progress to the Champions League group stages - including Celtic.
The Hoops are already at that stage after winning the Premiership title last season but could be joined by their Glasgow rivals if they overcome PSV in their play-off second leg midweek. Celtic have benefitted from a rising coefficient tally, largely bolstered by Rangers' run to the Europa League final in May.
Burrows meanwhile will see his beloved Steelmen profit from UEFA 'handouts', alongside other Premiership clubs. Speaking to the Sunday Mail, he believed progression for Giovanni van Bronckhorst's would be beneficial for all: “None of the other Premiership clubs can budget for participating in the Champions League but the UEFA handouts to the rest of the league will make a huge difference. “Running costs are rising daily so there’s never been a better reason for everyone to support the Scottish clubs in Europe. This is the first time since 2017, when Brendan Rodgers was in charge of Celtic, that we’ve had one club – never mind two – in the group stage.
READ MORE: Rangers transfer update as Giovanni van Bronckhorst prepared for 'crazy things' ahead of deadline
Sign up to Glasgow Live newsletter for more headlines straight to your inbox
"And that solidarity payment will be welcomed when it comes. If Rangers can make it then that £600,000 will make a big difference to everyone who receives it – our annual turnover is between £4-5million but for some clubs that sum will represent 20 per cent of their turnover.
"The fact of the matter is that this is the world we live in and the clubs need that money. That’s why everyone bar Celtic has skin in Wednesday’s match.
“Celtic would lose money in the short term if Rangers qualified because them dropping into the Europa League would hand Celtic a big financial advantage.
“Even so, they should want them to progress because, with ourselves and Dundee United already out of Europe and Hearts losing to FC Zurich on Thursday, Rangers joining would help improve our coefficient and give them a better chance of automatically going into the group phase in the years to come.”
READ NEXT:
- Rangers player rating v Hibs as Morelos endures horror cameo but attacking teammate impresses
- Three things we learned as Rangers endure red card nightmare at Hibs and drop points in Leith
- Celtic v Rangers ticket allocation revealed as clubs reach agreement after Hoops suggestion
