Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell believes that the club's arch rivals Rangers will return to the Scottish top flight stronger than when they left it.

The Gers will play in the second tier next season after winning promotion from Scottish League One, and Lawwell claims that their journey through the divisions will make them a better side.

"I think they are in real challenges financially, but the fundamentals of Rangers and the Rangers support are strong; in terms of the size of support, the facilities they have, and that will bring them back," Lawwell told BBC Sport.

"Rangers will return, I'm sure, as a much stronger force in Scotland in the coming years. I think the fundamentals of Rangers are strong; and I mean their support and the fundamentals are strong against Celtic.

"So, I believe that, through time, Rangers will be a much stronger force in Scotland than they are at the moment."

Celtic clinched this season's Scottish Premiership title on Wednesday evening with a resounding 5-1 win over Partick Thistle.