Celtic defender Glenn Loovens has told rivals Rangers to ignore their critics and stick to the tactics which are earning them points in the Champions League.
Rangers' defensive approach in their Group C opener against Manchester United garnered mixed reviews despite earning a goalless draw as a result of the formation at Old Trafford.
The Scottish champions then raised eyebrows when they again opted for five at the back for the visit of Bursaspor at Ibrox on Wednesday night as they ran out 1-0 winners.
Those results mean Walter Smith's men sit top joint of the section with United and, as far as Loovens is concerned, the results speak for themselves.
"You can't argue about that," admitted the Hoops centre-half.
"Every team that goes to Old Trafford plays defensively and if they pick up a point it's a well-deserved point.
"If it's working for them, I would say keep doing it.
"I'm not here to talk about Rangers' tactics or whatever, I'm here to talk about Celtic. If they like to do that, it's up to them."
The Dutchman added: "When we play against teams they always defend as well because they think that's the best way to play against us.
"If teams think they will get a result playing like that, that's why they do it.
"We like to attack and play forward so whatever other teams do, we just need to deal with that on the day."
Celtic twice squandered the chance of European football this season, crashing out of the Champions League to Braga, before missing out on a Europa League spot to Utrecht.
For Celtic, watching their Old Firm rivals on the continental stage may be difficult, but Loovens insists all they can do is focus on the Clydesdale Bank Premier League and ensure another crack at Europe next year.
"Everyone wants to play European football but that's just the way it is this season," he said.
"We made a mistake away against Utrecht and there is nothing we can do about it now.
"We have to make sure we do well for the league title and that we are in Europe next season."
Rangers undoubtedly face a busier fixture schedule than Celtic over the next few months.
But, with both teams locked on the same points at the summit of the SPL after six games, Loovens says it is too early to tell whether that will work in the Hoops' favour.
He said: "You can look at it two ways - they get more games so it's more physical and a bit harder for them.
"But everyone wants to play in Europe and when you play in Europe you get better as a team.
"You play against better opponents and that's how you grow as a team."
The Scottish champions then raised eyebrows when they again opted for five at the back for the visit of Bursaspor at Ibrox on Wednesday night as they ran out 1-0 winners.
Those results mean Walter Smith's men sit top joint of the section with United and, as far as Loovens is concerned, the results speak for themselves.
"You can't argue about that," admitted the Hoops centre-half.
"Every team that goes to Old Trafford plays defensively and if they pick up a point it's a well-deserved point.
"If it's working for them, I would say keep doing it.
"I'm not here to talk about Rangers' tactics or whatever, I'm here to talk about Celtic. If they like to do that, it's up to them."
The Dutchman added: "When we play against teams they always defend as well because they think that's the best way to play against us.
"If teams think they will get a result playing like that, that's why they do it.
"We like to attack and play forward so whatever other teams do, we just need to deal with that on the day."
Celtic twice squandered the chance of European football this season, crashing out of the Champions League to Braga, before missing out on a Europa League spot to Utrecht.
For Celtic, watching their Old Firm rivals on the continental stage may be difficult, but Loovens insists all they can do is focus on the Clydesdale Bank Premier League and ensure another crack at Europe next year.
"Everyone wants to play European football but that's just the way it is this season," he said.
"We made a mistake away against Utrecht and there is nothing we can do about it now.
"We have to make sure we do well for the league title and that we are in Europe next season."
Rangers undoubtedly face a busier fixture schedule than Celtic over the next few months.
But, with both teams locked on the same points at the summit of the SPL after six games, Loovens says it is too early to tell whether that will work in the Hoops' favour.
He said: "You can look at it two ways - they get more games so it's more physical and a bit harder for them.
"But everyone wants to play in Europe and when you play in Europe you get better as a team.
"You play against better opponents and that's how you grow as a team."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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