SIMON DONNELLY insists none of Pedro Caixinha’s Ibrox squad would get a sniff at a place in Brenda Rodgers’ line-up.
The former Hoops striker said: “There is not a single Rangers (sic) player I could pick who would get into the Celtic team.
“Kenny Miller, at 37, has been their best player, but you wouldn’t drop Moussa Dembele for him.
“Full credit to Kenny, though. Any time I’ve watched them he has been the one who has tried to take the game by the scruff of the neck and popped up with a goal when it mattered most.”
Donnelly, who has been out of the game after a spell at York City as No.2 to Jackie McNamara, is also delighted to see ex-Dundee United midfielder Stuart Armstrong doing so well during this campaign.
The former Tannadice assistant boss said: “Stuart has been different class. He has taken confidence from the manager showing belief in him and, speaking from experience, there’s no better feeling.
“Last season, he’d be starting games and then looking towards the dug-out after 55-60 minutes, expecting his number to be held up.
“That affects your performance, but he has gone from strength to strength under Brendan Rodgers, for Celtic and now for Scotland, as well.
“Celtic are at the top of their game at the moment and it’s great to see him as one of the main men.
“Brendan touched upon it last week – you need to appreciate what you have.
“Stuart is playing in a side going for the treble while trying to achieve something that has never been done before by going through the entire domestic season unbeaten.
“He’s now part of the Scotland set-up and was probably the best player on the park in his debut, so Stuart should just focus on where he is and keep developing.”
The 42-year-old added: “Nobody can stop Celtic, by the looks of things.
“After watching Celtic demolish Hearts at Tynecastle, I don’t see anyone stopping them.
“Hearts got off to a great start in that one and could’ve nicked a goal or two, but the quality of the goals Celtic scored was breathtaking.
“The interplay between Patrick Roberts and Scott Sinclair was tremendous and that was without a recognised striker in Dembele or Leigh Griffiths in the team.
“Rangers (sic) will take some heart from the recent draw at Parkhead, but that result will help Celtic. It’ll have given them a wee kick.
However Celtic supporters will be very confident that last month’s draw will be the only crumb of comfort for the Ibrox side in their six matches against the Champions this season. There could be a few quid to be made following this logic and these tips are worth considering ahead of the Scottish Cup semi-final and the final league meeting of the season six days later.
“If you could accuse them of having been complacent this season then it was in that match.”
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Thanks to everyone who has so far ordered our new book In thr Heat of Lisbon with our Jock Stein t-shirt for just £19.67.
The orders will be shipped later next week when we get the book hot off the presses. At that point the launch offer will end and both the book and t-shirt will be sold separately at £14.99 each.
Hurry to catch the special £19.67 offer for both by going to www.cqnbookstore.com and remember all profits will be used to say Thank You to the Celtic players of 66/67.
Ask not what the Lisbon Lions have done for you…
