Former Celtic defender Alan Stubbs does not believe Rangers 'cheated' there way to silverware since 2000.
The Glasgow giants have made the most of a controversial tax avoidance scheme put in place about 12 years ago by winning 17 trophies since the turn of the century which they are now paying for after falling into administration.
Many critics feel that Rangers have not deserved these awards but Stubbs, who played for their Old Firm rivals between 1996 and 2001, is not of the belief that 'Gers 'bought' their success.
"Do the Celtic players feel they've been cheated out of titles by Rangers spending beyond their means?
"But when Celtic win the title this season, have they won it or have they been given it?
"What happened in the past is not something which sticks in my throat as it's been more than a few years since I was with Celtic. So a lot of water has passed under the bridge since then.
"At the time Rangers were the dominant force with the likes of Brian Laudrup, Paul Gascoigne and of course (Ally McCoist) Coisty and (Ian Durrant) Durranty.
"I accept there will be players who may look back at their careers and believe Rangers only won some titles by default.
"They paid over the odds and had tax bills to pay but preferred to finance two or three players who were the difference between winning or not winning the title.
"If I was to say I believe Rangers were cheating their way to these trophies then it would be a selfish point of view. Financial indiscretions aren't the reason Rangers won their titles.
"Quite simply, on the day they were better than us and no amount of ducking and diving, not paying tax or living beyond their means will change that.
"As a player you need to play and defeat whatever team is put in front of you.""There are two sides of the coin when judging the merits of Rangers' success since 2000," the former Bolton, Everton, Sunderland and Derby County man said.
