Keep your cup, we want points

IT'S NOT the done thing for one half of the Old Firm to admit that they would love to trade places with the other but, as we approach the business end of the season, Celtic defender Gary Caldwell broke with convention to do just that. Surprisingly, though, it's not Walter Smith's side's opportunity to become the first club from these shores to collect a European trophy for quarter of a century of which he is envious.

Indeed, he referred, albeit obliquely, to the fact that Rangers could only reach the UEFA Cup final because they were unable to emulate Celtic's achievement of qualifying from their Champions League group and were consequently parachuted into the inferior competition.

No, what Caldwell covets is the control Rangers have over their own destiny when it comes to the SPL title. "I think you want it in your own hands," said the 26-year-old. "That's the big thing. If someone made you the offer that if you could win your remaining games then you would win the league then you would take it. When you're relying on other teams it can be difficult but we must do our job and take six points from our last two matches and if that proves to be enough then we'll be worthy champions."

Caldwell certainly appeared sincere enough when he claimed that Rangers are welcome to their meeting with Zenit St Petersburg. "I don't think that anyone here is wishing we were in their place," he said. "Our aim was to get out of our group again and by doing that you're never going to win the UEFA Cup.

"We achieved what we wanted to achieve. Obviously, we wanted to go a wee bit further this season but we met an excellent team in Barcelona. However, even to have that experience, of coming up against those players and playing in that stadium, is something you can always look back on and it should help you improve. So there's no jealousy on our part. It's great for Scottish football that Rangers are there and we wish them all the best."

A genial individual, Caldwell claims he would be delighted for his Scotland team-mates to collect a winner's medal in midweek, although preferably after a stamina-sapping period of extra time ("You wouldn't bet against it!") but he doesn't believe that Rangers' success or failure in Manchester will have an impact on the destination of the league flag.

"I don't think it will have any bearing on it, to be honest," he said. "It's a one-off game for them to go and win a European trophy but I don't think what happens will affect the outcome of the title race.

"They've done well and deserve all the praise they've received for their achievements but it's been helpful to us because we've been able to work away in the background picking up points."

Caldwell watched on Setanta as Rangers wore down Motherwell in midweek. Interestingly (and unlike his manager), he claims he was able to assess the action dispassionately even though he had a vested interest in the outcome

"I tuned in just to see how the teams were playing and when it was still 0-0 one of my friends was texting me, saying how nerve-racking it was," he said.

"My reply was that Rangers were going to score at any minute – and they did, two minutes later. As a footballer, you can watch a match and understand it more than a supporter because they get nervous and emotional during games."

Gordon Strachan, by contrast, couldn't bring himself to sit through that 90 minutes at Ibrox. "I watched Real Madrid play Barcelona instead," he said. "I can't look at Rangers' matches because I get too excited. Plus I feel a bit like a vulture. It might have been different if we still had to play either of those teams but we don't."

Celtic host Hibernian at lunchtime today and Caldwell recalls the influence the Edinburgh club exerted on the destination of the title three years ago. "We were trying to qualify for Europe at the time and we beat Celtic 3-1 away in April and, although Rangers beat us at Easter Road on the final day, we still managed to get that UEFA Cup slot," he said.

"Those results are a warning to both ourselves and Rangers and I'm well aware that one slip-up from either of us and the league could be over."

Strachan has no doubts about the importance of today's match, believing that anything other than a home victory would hand the title to Rangers. "People say that we have two games to keep our hopes alive but that's not true," he said. "If we don't win against Hibs then the last game against Dundee United will be irrelevant for us."