Celtic assistant manager John Collins is of the opinion that Rangers’ return to the Scottish Premiership would transform the league.
The Gers, who were demoted to Scotland’s Third Division in 2012, owing to a debt crisis and liquidation, are en route to return to the Premiership, with the Ibrox outfit currently being three points clear at the top of the Championship with a game in hand.
On the other hand Celtic are marching towards securing their fifth straight top-tier title, the last three of which were won with Rangers being in the lower rungs of Scottish football.
And Collins, who feels the dynamics of the Premiership would totally change when Rangers are back in the fray, insisted that Celtic are relishing the prospect of playing in the Old Firm derby again.
“Of course we would, 100 per cent”, he told the Herald Scotland.
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“Rangers have been our biggest rivals for hundreds of years so of course it would change everything if Rangers are back in the league.
“Everyone’s happy when we’re above Rangers. Celtic supporters are happy when it’s like that, that’s the reality.
“I think Rangers in the league brings more spice, more interest, of course it does. Anybody who says otherwise, I don’t think is in the real world.
“This is the second season [for me and Ronny Deila at Celtic without Rangers], so you’re kind of getting used to it now.
“If and when they do get back then it’s a totally different ball game; every week’s exciting, we’re looking for each other’s results, everyone’s talking about both of us and everyone’s full of energy when Rangers are in the league.
"The fans love Old Firm games, winning Old Firm games.”
Celtic, who are also three points clear at the top of the table, defeated Stranraer 3-0 in the Scottish Cup yesterday, while Rangers thrashed Cowdenbeath 5-1.
