Rangers defender Borna Barisic has hit out at John Kennedy - branding claims that Celtic are still the best side in Scotland "a joke."
Interim Hoops boss Kennedy declared earlier this week he believes that, on their day, his side remain the top team in the country despite Rangers running away with the title this season.
“I have full belief in the squad we have here, that on our day we are still the best team in the country, 100 per cent.", Kennedy said.
"That’s the reaction you have to have. There was always going to come a point where we had a setback."
The two Glasgow rivals meet in the Scottish Cup on Sunday. And speaking ahead of that one, Barisic was less than convinced by Kennedy's "disrespectful" claims.
He said:"I didn't hear the comments, but I read the interview beforehand and I think that is the biggest joke I heard this year.
"They didn't win against us in three games and we are 20 points in front of them, so it is disrespectful a little bit to us. That's my comment on that.
"You need to be in life always realistic. If someone is better and if someone is 20 points in front of you, you just don't talk like that. It is disrespectful for all the things we do this season.
"It is not only from him. I know a lot of people talking about Celtic's situation with Covid and all of these things. It's like we've lost five games or we are just five points in front of them.
"We are 20 points clear in front of them, we didn't lose a game this year. It is disrespectful to talk about anyone and changes. I am talking about this season. That's it."
Barisic went on: "It will be different with it being a cup game, it doesn't matter about previous results only focused on Sunday.
"I don't think about pressure, my focus is on another important cup game and a match and trophy we want to go and win.
"It is a cup game and an Old Firm game, it will be tough but we will be prepared.
"With our attacking players it gives us confidence, we have a very good team. The whole team plays together and defends together. A clean sheet is earned by the full team."
