Ally McCoist admits Brendan Rodgers' Celtic return is bad news for Rangers and Michael Beale.
The Northern Irishman was confirmed as Hoops boss this week as he replaces Ange Postecoglou who departed Glasgow for Tottenham Hotspur.
McCoist is a huge fan of Rodgers and he insists the dominance of Celtic during his last spell in Glasgow is sparking fear amongst the Gers support.
He explained on talkSPORT: “Within Scottish football it’s a kind of no-brainer decision because he’s a top class coach and manager.
"He knows the club really well and was extremely successful before so that alone makes it an obvious choice and a pretty good choice in my book.
"However, as has been well documented, there’s a certain section of the Celtic support who made it clear they were not happy with Brendan when he left.”
Aston Villa hero Gabby Agbonlahor then asked McCoist whether the appointment is good or bad news for Rangers. Coisty continued: "I’d have thought it was bad news, yeah, for the reasons I’ve given.
"But Rangers and Michael Beale can’t afford to start thinking about what’s going on across the city. They have to concentrate on themselves and that’s bringing four or five players in.”
Host Alan Brazil then added: “I wouldn’t worry about it, you’ll still finish second anyway."
And McCoist replied: “We’ll win it this year.”
After being appointed Celtic boss, Brendan Rodgers declared his return was “a very simple decision” but he faced an instant reminder of the work needed to appease some fans who were unhappy with the manner of his exit.
Celtic confirmed Rodgers had signed a three-year contract to replace Ange Postecoglou as manager, four years and four months after his sudden departure to Leicester after winning seven out of seven domestic trophies with the Hoops.
The North Curve Celtic Twitter account, which represents the Green Brigade and other members of the standing section at Celtic Park, soon posted a photograph of the banner they displayed at Tynecastle 24 hours after he left for Leicester in February 2019.
The sign read: “You traded immortality for mediocrity. Never a Celt. Always a fraud.”
Rodgers said on the club’s website: “I am really delighted to return to Celtic and I am hugely excited by this great opportunity. When I was given the privilege of being asked to join the club again, it was a very simple decision for me and my family.
“We have enjoyed some great times at Celtic before and this will be my goal again, to deliver good football, ensure we have a team we all love to watch and ultimately bring more success to our fans.
“Ange has done some brilliant work across the last two years and I will be doing all I can to maintain Celtic’s momentum as we face into all our domestic and European challenges. We have a hugely impressive and talented group of players and staff at the club, and I am really looking forward to meeting up with them all and then getting straight down to work.”
