Old Firm well up to Premiership, says Ferguson

Alex Ferguson believes Rangers and Celtic would both thrive in the Barclaycard Premiership.

The Old Firm clubs have expressed interest in the past in joining the English Premier League – and Ferguson, whose Manchester United side meet Rangers in the Champions League tonight, claims both teams would blossom south of the border.

He said: “I think they would do well. With their resources, history, tradition and support of course they would do well.

“Mind you, they probably could not go straight into the Premier League and have to start in the Conference or even the Rymans League! Seriously, though, they would do well – no doubt about that.”

Ferguson believes Manchester United’s meeting with Rangers tonight will revive memories and the atmosphere of the old home internationals between Scotland and England.

He added: “It creates the kind of competitive thing that Scotland and England don’t have now.

“When Scotland and England internationals were on there was always great excitement and anticipation and some terrific games between the two countries.

“We don’t have that now, and when we have occasions like this – I went to see Leeds and Rangers a few years back – it is fantastic.

“It is probably the biggest game in Scotland for a long, long time. I hope everyone enjoys it.”

The links between Ferguson and Rangers are many. He grew up within sight of Ibrox, supported the club as a boy, played for them as a young man – and the Glasgow club’s current boss Alex McLeish was one of his favourite players when he was in charge at Aberdeen.

But the United manager made it clear the mutual admiration society will not be present at Ibrox tonight.

“Alex has done very well. To have won a treble with players he inherited is a remarkable feat – that is never easy,” said Ferguson.

“But we have come to bury Caesar, not praise him.”

Defeat in United’s last Champions League match in Stuttgart has raised the stakes to the point where a loss either tonight or in the return fixture in a fortnight would really threaten the Premiership champions’ chances of winning the group.

He added: “We have had a fright with the Stuttgart result, but it is early enough to do something about it.”

“Losing to Stuttgart puts a lot of tension on this match, and maybe the tension will get through to some people.

“But certainly with the experience my team have had, I hope that will not be the case.”

Ryan Giggs has recovered from a bout of sickness and is available to play - but Quinton Fortune is a doubt. The South African was forced off against Leeds on Saturday and will have a fitness test.