Old Firm cash divide

The vast sum identifies not only the incredible financial advantage of qualifying for the Champions League but also emphasises the difference in power between Glasgow's bitter rivals.

Rangers failed to qualify for Europe's elite competition last term, and instead found themselves competing against the likes of Molde FK in the UEFA Cup, Europe's second-rate cup competition.

In contrast to Celtic's massive handout it is thought Rangers will receive little more than £350,000 for their European exploits, despite reaching the last 32 of the competition. Celtic bagged nearly four-times that amount for simply being involved in the Champions League group stages.

Rangers new boss Walter Smith knows his team cannot afford not to qualify for Champions League football next term and a failure to do so will allow Celtic to race even further ahead of their Old Firm enemies.