Lawwell: We don’t need Old Firm rivals

Peter Lawwell claims Celtic do not need Rangers and he believes the rest of Scottish football could also survive without the Ibrox club.

The Parkhead chief executive was speaking following the release of Celtic’s interim financial results yesterday which he described as “very satisfactory”.

Lawwell, though, is aware that it is Rangers’ finances which are under intense scrutiny at the moment.

The ailing Ibrox club has filed legal papers with the Court of Session in Edinburgh signalling their intention to enter administration, as they await the verdict of a tax tribunal.

The possible demise of the club altogether has also been raised in the media, leading to questions over Rangers’ historical relationship with Old Firm rivals Celtic and the very future of the game in Scotland.

However, Lawwell said: “The way we would look at is we don’t need Rangers.

“We have a strategy that we have embarked on, that’s independent of Rangers or any other club.

“We have a vision, horizons and aspirations which are in Scotland and beyond that, in terms of European progression.

“So that’s what we are focusing on.

“In terms of Rangers’ situation at the moment, nobody really knows what the facts are.

“I think it is inappropriate for us to comment on it.’’

Asked if Scottish football could survive and thrive without Rangers, Lawwell replied: “If people take some clues from what we are doing, then why not?

“Again, I think it needs big thinkers. It needs people to think outside the box.”

Lawwell was asked if fans would continue to support the club in the same numbers in the absence of the Old Firm rivalry, a mainstay of the Scottish game for well over a century.

“Absolutely,” Lawwell said. “It is a changing world.

“Nothing stays the same and our job is to make sure we are still seen as a big important club in Europe and if there is any change we are part of that.”