Find way to stop Celtic — McLeish

ALEX McLEISH has warned Rangers they have to find a way to stop Celtic’s ‘runaway train’ hurtling towards ten titles in a row. The Old Firm meet in Sunday’s Scottish Cup semi-final with the Ibrox side desperate to shatter their bitter rivals’ 40-match unbeaten domestic run

and halt their march to the Treble. Fearful that Brendan Rodgers and his side are disappearing over the horizon, however, former Rangers boss McLeish

believes the pressure is on his old club to halt their momentum. ‘It might be difficult to control for Rangers,’ said McLeish. ‘At the moment, Celtic look like a runaway train. ‘Celtic getting ten-in-arow is not something I worry about every day. ‘It wouldn’t affect my life — but certainly the diehards don’t want to see it happen.’ Interviewed by Rangers directors concerning a return to the Ibrox hotseat, McLeish now claims he was never certain to take the job. Concerned by budget constraints and off-field politics, the former Scotland manager believes the task of stopping Celtic is now tougher than ever. ‘It’s not ten in a row they’ve got to be worried about, it’s next year and stopping seven in a row,’ added McLeish. ‘That’s got to be the immediate goal. ‘That’s what I said when I sat down with Rangers. I said: “Listen, somehow you have to win the title next year by hook or by crook”. Never mind trying to get closer to them. It’s just the way Rangers and Celtic are. ‘I think the Rangers directors knew what I was talking about, that band of clubs who have to win every game they can. Somehow, they have to win it next year. ‘It is a runaway train, but whatever Rangers do, they don’t just have to try to get closer, they have to try to win it.’ McLeish says Pedro Caixinha can earn instant hero worship by derailing Celtic’s bid for the Treble and ending their unbeaten domestic run. ‘I’ve got all the texts from pals about stopping the Treble,’ he said. ‘It’s big, though.’