FORMER Celtic striker John Hartson believes that Rangers would gain "a lot of respect and gratitude" if they were to concede the Premiership title to Neil Lennon's side.

The Parkhead club are 13 points ahead of Steven Gerrard's team, who have a game in hand, with eight matches left to play as Scottish football remains postponed indefintiely due to the coronavirus pandemic.

There have been doubts cast over whether or not it will be possible to complete the 2019/20 campaign and Hartson has now suggested that if clubs are unable to fulfil their remaining fixtures, then Rangers should consider conceding the title to their rivals.

Speaking to BBC Sportsound, Hartson said that if Rangers were to make the "incredible" gesture, "they would come out of it with huge respect and gratitude".

"Rangers would come away with an awful lot of credit if they were to say 'you have been worthy champions, you have a massive lead'," he said.

"I can honestly say I'd be saying exactly the same if Rangers had the lead. Celtic have got to probably lose five of their last eight games to be overtaken. Let's be realistic, that isn't going to happen.

"It would be an incredible thing to do for Rangers, but like everyone else I don't expect them to. It would be a commendable thing to do, but I'm not naive.

"This is their prerogative and if they wanted to play all the games, that's fine. You've got a similar problem at the bottom with teams going for places and the money that comes with that.

"Celtic would not want Rangers to do that, they wouldn't want to be handed it, but common sense has to prevail."