‘I’ve been surprised’: Former Celtic man given unlikely backing from key Rangers figure

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Dave King says he wants to see Celtic come back stronger next season and provide Rangers with a real title challenge.

The Parkhead side’s failure to score against Dundee United at Tannadice on Sunday saw their 10-in-a-row dream officially die, with six games still remaining in this season’s Premiership.

It was King who brought Steven Gerrard to Ibrox during his time as a chairman, and the former Liverpool man’s success this season spelled the end for Neil Lennon at Celtic.

Lennon has received some unlikely support from the majority shareholder at Rangers, however, who believes the reaction to Celtic’s dominance being ended was excessive.

Defeat against Ross County in the Betfred Cup sparked fan protests in November, and supporters continued to call for Lennon’s departure until he confirmed his resignation in February.

Speaking on the Essential Scottish Football podcast, King reflected on Lennon’s exit and said he hopes to see Celtic come back stronger next season.

He said: “I have been surprised by the reaction from the other side of Glasgow. It’s no disgrace to any team to come second to this Rangers team.

“I think for what Peter Lawwell and Neil Lennon have done for the club in terms of success – okay you could say the competition wasn’t great – but they still beat what was in front of them.

“They were completely dominant in Scotland, set records and I would have thought they would have been given another chance to come back stronger this season.

“So I was a little surprised they were effectively hounded out the club given the success they’ve given supporters over the last decade.

“I would hope Celtic strengthen. We need to be competing in the Champions League.

“Scotland’s co-efficient can’t do well when you have one dominant club. I want a strong Rangers and a strong Celtic fighting for titles and doing well in Europe.

“I hope Celtic come back stronger and I would like to see us successfully defend our title against them next year.

“And I would like to see both clubs doing well in Europe next year to improve the coefficient because it’s absolutely ridiculous that Rangers and Celtic are playing these early round draws no matter how well we do.”