CELTIC NEED A STRONG GERS

SFA chief says current league is ‘boring’

SFA president Alan McRae believes Scottish football needs a Rangers title tilt next season – because it will be boring if Celtic win the Treble again.

The Hampden chief wants other Premiership clubs to provide competition to the Hoops, including a strong challenge from Ibrox.

McRae is full of admiration for the job Brendan Rodgers has done at Parkhead but insists another clean sweep would be bad for our game.

The president, who has two more years at the helm, said: “It’s difficult for other clubs to compete with Celtic because they’re flying at the moment.

“It was a fantastic achievement to come through both cups and the league undefeated – it was amazing. But I hope it won’t happen again next season because we’ve got to have challengers.

“They’ll know you need to have other people challenging otherwise it will get boring and dreary. We definitely need a good, strong Rangers.

“They’re back now but they still have a bit to go – although I’m sure they will eventually challenge.

“Hibs are also back, which is good. Hearts as well, once the stadium is finished. Aberdeen and St Johnstone are difficult to beat so we’re in for a really exciting new season.

“We just have to get our two top teams performing at the highest level and try to get the UEFA coefficient up by getting a decent run in Europe and reaching the group stage.”

Meawhile, new Rangers star Bruno Alves insists he will never retire from Portugal duty after winning his 90th cap at the age of 35.

The veteran stopper helped his country cruise to a 3-0 World Cup qualifying win against Latvia in Riga. He started Friday night’s game because of an injury to Real Madrid bruiser Pepe.

Alves and central defensive partner Jose Fonte helped Portugal keep a clean sheet as they took another step forward in their bid to reach the finals in Russia next year.

And the new Ibrox defender, who won Euro 2016, insists he will never give up playing for his country.

Alves (left) said: “Pepe couldn’t play but we have a big squad full of really good players.

“I am always available for Portugal.

“I always work hard to have these kind of opportunities.

Celtic came out on top of the Glasgow battles last season with five wins and a draw