FORMER Celtic striker Charlie Nicholas has launched a blistering tirade against the Hoops and Rangers after his pal Andy Walker was banned from Parkhead and Ibrox.

Walker was told last week that he is no longer welcome at either of the Old Firm's grounds for comments he made in his work as a pundit for Sky Sports.

Walker has been commentating on Scottish football for over a decade, with Nicholas claiming his friend should have recieved more support from the broadcaster.

And Nicholas warned that the decision could have serious long-term effects for Scottish football.

Glasgow Times:

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Writing in his columnn in the Daily Express, Nicholas explained: "It is an absolute disgrace how Andy Walker has been left exposed by Celtic and Rangers.

"I haven't spoken to my old friend in a wee while, since I left Sky.

"The Old Firm duo have banned Andy from their grounds. They are two of the least helpful clubs in the world.

"They are happy to take the money from the television companies yet they want to tell pundits what they should and shouldn't be saying.

"It's a shambles the way Andy has been treated.

"Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher are hard-hitting about Manchester United and Liverpool in their roles as pundits, but do they get banned by their old clubs?

"No, they don't. I am as critical of Arsenal as Celtic. Arsenal don't like it but they still treat me the same way at the club as the day I signed.

"What concerns me is the lack of support that Sky has shown Andy.

Glasgow Times:

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"They should be saying to Rangers and Celtic, 'If you don't let him into your grounds then we won't be paying you for those games'.

"Celtic couldn't wait to jump on the bandwagon because of Andy's criticism after they heard Rangers had banned him.

"We had Neil Lennon on Soccer Saturday the other day - the same man who demanded an apology from Sky for Andy's comments.

"Neil Doncaster and the SPFL must step in to sort this out because, if they don't, they could end up jeopardising any future television deals."