RB Leipzig assistant and ex-Celtic right-back Andreas Hinkel has revealed that the Parkhead club have been assisting the Germans in their Europa League preparations v Rangers.
The former German international spent three-and-a-half years with Celtic between 2008 and 2011 and watched the Ibrox side romp to three titles in a row under Walter Smith.
Now working in the coaching department of the controversial and commercial Bundesliga club, Andreas Hinkel clearly keeps close ties with the Parkhead club.
Not that Rangers were expecting a helping hand from their bitter Old Firm rivals, but Hinkel confirmed that Celtic and ex-teammate John Kennedy have provided RB Leipzig with a dossier on the Gers.
The ex-Stuttgart, Sevilla and Freiburg star also made a jibe suggesting Celtic’s Europe-starved tin shed Celtic Park is better than Rangers’ vibrant continental arena Ibrox.
“Of course we have analysed them & collected a lot of information,” said Andreas Hinkel [Rae].
“Among other people we have spoken to on the phone & asked for info from is John Kennedy, the Celtic assistant coach, my former teammate & someone I still stay fairly closely in touch with.
Celtic coach hands Andreas Hinkel Rangers dossier
“It’s a team geared strongly for the physical aspects. That is defensively robust players who stay compact & defend well.
“But their counter attacking game is also quite strong & they have dangerous attackers. Not for nothing are they in the semis.
“They have the bird in the hand in the second leg with their stadium that they have carried through the last few rounds.
“Of course it’s not as good as Celtic Park (smiles). But there is a particular atmosphere there that gives you the scent of football. History has been made there and it has something special, a raw flair.
“Despite that the derby is really important for Rangers, especially as a win for them would keep open the title issue.
“So for us it’s certainly not a disadvantage that that they have such an important game scheduled between our 2 duels.”
Andreas Hinkel clearly revealing where Celtic’s allegiances lie ahead of Rangers’ Europa League semi-final with RB Leipzig.
Ah well, it’s a stage and a moment the Parkhead club can only dream of these days as they’re reduced to the level of European minnows.
Here’s our predicted XI for the trip to RB Leipzig as Rangers feel the absence of five key players.
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