Dave King admits he’s been shocked to see Peter Lawwell and Neil Lennon “hounded out” of Celtic after the implosion of their 10 in a row hopes.
The former Rangers chairman - still majority shareholder at Ibrox - famously predicted the Parkhead club would “fold like a pack of cards” if Steven Gerrard could deliver a title to Ibrox.
But before that title was even secured Celtic had axed Lennon - manager for five of the 9 in a row run - while chief executive Lawwell - who delivered 29 trophies in 17 years - announced he would leave at the end of the season.
It came after furious protests from Celtic fans calling for change in the management and boardroom after their dreams of making history blew up in spectacular fashion.
King admits he would have expected the duo to have been afforded the chance to try and wrestle back power from Ibrox next season.
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He said: “I have been surprised by the reaction from the other side of Glasgow.
“It’s no disgrace to any team to come second to this Rangers team.
“I think for what Peter Lawwell and Neil Lennon have done for the club in terms of success - okay you could say the competition wasn’t great - but they still beat what was in front of them.
“They were completely dominant in Scotland, set records and I would have thought they would have been given another chance to come back stronger this season.
“So I was a little surprised they were effectively hounded out the club given the success they’ve given supporters over the last decade.”
King hopes Celtic DO strengthen next season and together the Old Firm rivals can continue to improve Scotland’s standing in Europe.
He told The Essential Scottish Football Podcast : “I would hope Celtic strengthen. We need to be competing in the Champions League.
“Scotland’s co-efficient can’t do well when you have one dominant club. I want a strong Rangers and a strong Celtic fighting for titles and doing well in Europe.
“I hope Celtic come back stronger and I would like to see us successfully defend our title against them next year.
“And I would like to see both clubs doing well in Europe next year to improve the coefficient because it’s absolutely ridiculous that Rangers and Celtic are playing these early round draws no matter how well we do.”
