Gary McAllister admits Rangers could have reason to cheer on Celtic in the Scottish Cup final

Gary McAllister has his tongue firmly in his cheek when he says he’ll be cheering on Celtic in the Scottish Cup Final.

But the Rangers assistant manager admits the Ibrox club could have a reason to be cheerful about the Hoops clinching a treble Treble at Hampden on Saturday.

Victory over Hearts could help to catapult the Light Blues into the second qualifying round of the Europa League.

That would mean Rangers starting their campaign on July 25, instead of July 11.

It’s not a scenario that has yet been officially confirmed, but McAllister would be delighted if they do get extra time to prepare.

He said: “That would have a big effect on when our first game is.

“You work back off that in terms of your pre-season organisation.

“The extra two weeks would benefit us. We could have done with it last year, because a lot of new people came in.

“It’s not the same job this summer, so we probably don’t need the time.

“But still, to play your first game in the second week of July is pretty bizarre.

“It would help with the international boys, but also the people we bring in.

“We got boys in early last year and it gave them a chance to blend into the group.

“There’s no better place than a pre-season camp to do that. When the players are there for the entire time, they live in each other’s pockets.

“So you get to know people very quickly.

“Will I be cheering Celtic on at Hampden? Absolutely!”

Meanwhile, McAllister believes it would be better for Alfredo Morelos to be reporting back for pre-season training with Rangers, rather than moving to another league.

He said: “As far as moving on to further his career, that might be a pathway he wants to follow.

“But we don’t want him to play in the English Premier League. We see him as a key player.

“I think he would benefit from another season here.

“Under the stewardship of the people here, we can make him better.

“His whole journey is a fantastic story.

“The more you get to know him and how it has developed, it’s amazing what he has done.

“There has been downsides with the discipline stuff, and maybe he hasn’t scored against our biggest rivals.

“But, over the piece, it is a special story. I like him as a man.

“I have watched a lot of Luis Suarez. I see similarities in that they act poorly at certain moments.

“But, he never misses training, is very robust, never gets injured and is strong. He also has a strong mentality as he often gets hammered.

“I rate him and think he has bundles of potential.”