Wednesday 6 April 2016 09:40, UK
Former Celtic boss Neil Lennon says Rangers' promotion to the Premiership will provide a boost for Scottish football.
Rangers added the Championship title to their two other lower league trophies on Tuesday, when Mark Warburton's side beat Dumbarton 1-0 at Ibrox.
The promotion to join Scotland's elite clubs from next season comes almost four years after Charles Green bought the assets of Rangers after they were consigned to liquidation amid a financial meltdown.
Although Rangers were unable to emulate Gretna's rise through the Scottish league system in successive seasons, they have made it out of the Championship at the second attempt and Warburton and his assistant Davie Weir now have the opportunity to win the Petrofac Training Cup for the first time when Rangers play Peterhead this weekend.
Rangers will bring a sizeable support with them into the top-flight next season and Lennon believes some Celtic fans will relish the opportunity to play the Glasgow rivals on a regular basis.
Lennon told Sky Sports News HQ: "I think it will be a good selling point for the game in Scotland again. I think it has been a hard sell in terms of TV rights and it will bring more money into the game for sure.
"From Rangers' point of view it's an opportunity to build now on the platform that Mark and Davie have created there, and for Celtic they are going to have the old enemy back.
"At least four games to look forward to for everyone and it whets the appetite again. I think it's really good for the game."
Ronny Deila, who succeeded Lennon at Celtic Park, says Rangers are where they deserve to be.
Speaking to Sky Sports News HQ following his side's 0-0 draw at Dundee, a result which lifted the Hoops five points clear at the top of the Premiership table, he said: "They have shown that they are the best team in the Championship and of course we are ready to take them on next year."
Asked if their promotion to the top flight was a good thing for Scottish football, the Norwegian added: "They are a big club and when they are good enough that's a positive thing."
Rangers will get their first chance to test themselves against the Scottish Premiership leaders when they clash in the Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden on Sunday, April 17, live on Sky Sports.
