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John Hartson explains why Rangers fans shouldn’t laugh at Celtic’s Champions League defeat

Wales forward coach John Hartson during training (Reuters)
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Rangers fans shouldn’t be laughing at Celtic, according to John Hartson.

John Hartson -  Wales Forwards Coach (R)John Hartson

Celtic hero John Hartson has told The Scottish Sun that Rangers fans have little reason to laugh at the Bhoys for their Champions League defeat to Barcelona.

The Bhoys hammered Rangers 5-1 in the Old Firm derby last weekend, but just days later they travelled to Catalunya to take on Barcelona, where they were thumped by Luis Enrique’s side.

John Hartson - Wales Forwards CoachJohn Hartson

Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez lived up to their tag as the world’s best strike trio by contributing six of Barcelona’s goals in a comfortable 7-0 win for the La Liga giants.

The defeat and Barcelona’s dominance in the game has raised questions over Celtic’s quality outside of the Scottish Premiership, with many fans poking some fun at Brendan Rodgers’ side – despite their dominance of the Scottish game.

Today, the Bhoys take on Inverness Caledonian Thistle in a big game as Rodgers looks to bounce back from that humiliating 7-0 defeat, but John Hartson has offered a message ahead of the game.

Rangers' fansRangers fans

The Welshman told The Scottish Sun that Scottish fans are right to talk up Celtic when they qualify for Europe’s premier competition, as they’re the best team that Scotland have to offer.

Hartson also suggested that there needs to be some reality for fans who have been poking fun at Celtic for their defeat, drawing particular attention to Rangers supporters – and even mocked the Gers after they lost 5-1 to Celtic, claiming that they would have been obliterated bt a Barcelona side that thumped the Bhoys 7-0.

Wales forward coach John Hartson during trainingJohn Hartson

“We can talk Celtic up all we like when they qualify for the Champions League, and rightly so,” said Hartson. “They’re our best team by a country mile. That’s what the Celtic haters should remember when they laugh at results like Tuesday night’s.”

“Rangers? They got walloped 5-1 at Celtic. God knows how they’d have got on in the Nou Camp. There just needs to be a dose of reality when our biggest and best team gets thumped like that,” he added.

How far behind Celtic do you think Rangers are?