NEIL MCCANN has slammed a "ridiculous" fan theory over Rangers and Celtic's involvement in the Champions League.

Both clubs are in the group stage of Europe's elite competition this season with Celtic straight through as Scottish Premiership winners and Rangers navigating qualifying rounds.

The Glasgow rivals have been handed huge ties in the competition with Ange Postecoglou's side drawn against Real Madrid, RB Leipzig and Shakhtar Donetsk and Rangers playing Liverpool, Napoli and Ajax.

Their involvement in the competition will bring significant cash into both clubs - and Scottish clubs not competing in Europe will also receive trickle-down money.

For McCann it's a no-brainer that Celtic and Rangers being in the Champions League - and Hearts in the Europa Conference League - is a good thing for the nation.

And he was quick to dismiss the debate that it could lead to claims of a lack of competition in domestic fixtures from Celtic and Rangers - should they be on the end of heavy defeats in the Champions League.

Joining the BBC Sportsound debate over the European commitments and the financial rewards that come with it, McCann ruled out a listener's comment claiming it would be "a matter of time" before the Glasgow rivals blame a lack of competition for any possible heavy losses in the groups.

Responding to the suggestion, McCann insisted: "I would say give me peace with those types of comments. Honestly.

"If you're looking with a wee bit of the green eyes on at Celtic and Rangers operating at the top table and you've not slightly got a wee bit of element of pride to see a Scottish flag stand beside all the other nations in the Champions League - I think there is something a wee bit wrong with you.

"You can support your team. You're going to get drip fed with the money coming down into the sides."

And continuing to make his point, McCann was adament there will still be competition in domestic clashes, even if clubs are "outgunned" against the title rivals.

He added: "When you are a manager and you know you're coming up against Celtic and Rangers - you know you're outgunned.

"But not once did I sit in an office or work towards a weekend thinking I don't have a chance - and I didn't put my team out on the pitch believing they (didn't) have a chance.

"Of course, it's always going to be difficult but that is the challenge that you have got and believe me, the gap hasn't shut down in any way. Yes, it's going to get bigger but it hasn't closed.

"It's not anybody's say, I don't believe, to say that suddenly we don't want our top sides in the Champions League. I mean that's just ridiculous.

"I can't stand looking inside the window. Now I can watch two of our teams in Scotland - yes, I'm a Rangers man - but I love to see that one of our sides at least was going to be there and I'm sop delighted that the second one has joined them."