Ally McCoist strongly asserts that he would never wish to witness Celtic face demotion from the Scottish top flight or experience a fate akin to what Rangers underwent in 2012.

As Rangers’ highest goal scorer of all time, and having managed the team during their triumphant journey back up the ranks from the fourth tier post-liquidation, McCoist expressed his sentiment that the absence of Old Firm derbies would be sorely felt if Celtic were to follow a similar path.

He went on to suggest that even Celtic felt the void left by their eternal rivals during their four-year hiatus from competing against each other.

McCoist masterminded two successive promotions, elevating the Ibrox squad to the Championship before departing in 2014. Mark Warburton took the helm thereafter, ultimately guiding the club back to the Premiership in 2016.

During a discussion on talkSPORT, McCoist spoke to a Liverpool supporter who shared his reluctance to see Everton relegated from the Premier League. When questioned if he would desire Celtic out of the Premiership, McCoist emphatically responded, “No. The bottom three would suffice.”

Highlighting the allure of the Old Firm clashes, McCoist emphasized that these matches are what truly captivates fans. He reminisced about the electrifying 3-3 match at Ibrox, underscoring the unique magic of these encounters.

Reflecting on Rangers’ descent to the third division, McCoist maintained that both sets of supporters yearned for the fierce rivalry, as there is an inexplicable allure to the Old Firm face-offs. Just like Liverpool enthusiasts who may not wish for Everton’s success, they nonetheless cherish the thrilling showdowns between the two clubs.