John Hughes urged former club Celtic to “take their medicine” and mark Rangers' arrival at Parkhead as champions with a guard of honour.
The Ibrox side wrapped up the Scottish Premiership title last weekend courtesy of their Glasgow rivals’ failure to beat Dundee United ahead of the Old Firm derby on March 21.
Rangers steadfastly refused to provide the gesture when the two sides met during Celtic’s run of nine straight league wins over the past decade.
Attention has quickly turned to comments made by former manager Neil Lennon, who previously claimed his side would respect the tradition if the roles were reversed, which they now are.
Yogi hammered the final nail in Lennon’s coffin when his Ross County side beat the Parkhead outfit earlier in the year.
Ex-Celtic favourite John Hartson has been among those calling on The Hoops not to line up and applaud Rangers onto the pitch, but Hughes believes the “unwritten rule” should be followed.
“Rangers have been outstanding and there should be a guard of honour, it’s an unwritten rule,” he said.
“The next team has to take their medicine, take it on the chin.
“Rangers have been outstanding, there has been no noise coming out of there and too much coming out of Celtic.
“Not signing a goalkeeper, Leigh Griffiths and all that - too much noise.
“Now the challenge for them is to get it back.
“But sometimes in sport you have to just tip your hat, say they have raised the bar and focus on going out to beat them.”
