Celtic Football Club have released a statement denying claims that they would not be able to prosper without Glasgow rivals Rangers.

Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond recently suggested that the Hoops would struggle without Rangers, who have fallen into administration, but the club has responded to that by saying they would indeed be fine if 'Gers were to thrown out of the Scottish Premier League.

"We are very disappointed with the First Minister's claims that Celtic 'need' Rangers and that Celtic 'can't prosper unless Rangers are there'," read Celtic's statement.

"This is simply not true. In a series of interviews given just three days ago, we made it abundantly clear Celtic has a well-defined strategy and a business plan independent of the fortunes of any other club. That remains absolutely the case.

"The predicament of Rangers is clearly a serious and complex matter with a whole range of possible outcomes.

"However, we are extremely well qualified to make our own position clear and have no wish to see that being misrepresented for political reasons."

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