CRAIG BELLAMY will not be winning any popularity contests at Celtic Park anytime soon after his latest interview.

The Welshman, who spent the second half of the 04/05 season with the Hoops admitted that his time up north actually damaged his career and nobody in England cares what’s happening in Scotland.

The retired striker then went on to say that Celtic’s achievements under Brendan Rodgers guidance don’t match up to team’s of yesteryear because Celtic need a strong Rangers.

Celtic’s across city rivals had to start again from the bottom after years of financial mismanagement that plunged the old club into liquidation.

Craig contradicts himself greatly in this interview, where he tells us even back in 2005 when he played for Celtic, nobody from down south cared. Then the player goes on about needing a strong Rangers for anyone to really take notice.

Speaking to Paddy Power the Welshman was brutal:

“Brendan Rodgers couldn’t have done any more than he did with Celtic last season. His reputation of a great coach is there, but getting one of the top jobs again in the Premier League might be difficult for him. “

Mainly because, and I found this out during my time in Scotland, it doesn’t matter what you do up there – no one cares. I had more offers in January, before I went to Celtic than I did when I finished my time up there the following summer. “

That’s because once you went up to Scotland nobody in England gave a damn what you did up there. If you do well up there, it’s a case of ‘so you should’. I just didn’t feel it mattered to anyone down south.”

“I know Celtic will say they’ve had their best run ever, but you can’t class this side with the one from the Sixties. “You can’t do that because it’s not fair and it isn’t real. Celtic need a strong Rangers.

“The challenge for the Hoops in Scotland just isn’t there anymore and it could take Rangers another three or so years to get back up there with them again.”