Forster defends SPL challenge

Fraser Forster: The Celtic goalkeeper will warm up for the defence of their SPL title with a Champions League third-round qualifier against HJK Helsinki

Fraser Forster has hit back at suggestions the Scottish Premier League has become a one-horse race after Glasgow giants Rangers were thrown out.

The absence of Rangers has made their rivals Celtic huge favourites to defend their SPL title as the pair have hogged the top two places in Scottish football in all but one of the last 17 seasons.

Their rivals are set to play in the Third Division after going into liquidation and reforming as a newco removing the main threat to the Hoops.

But despite their absence, Forster believes it is up to the rest of the division to step up and fill the void left by Rangers as main challengers to Celtic's title hopes.

"If you win the league you win the league," said Forster. "It is a fantastic opportunity for the other teams in the league to go for that second place or compete for the league.

"Realistically everyone should be setting out hoping they can win the league, if you don't think you can win the league you never will.

"We will go out and be positive and play against whoever we play against.

"The league is important and it will mean as much winning it this time as winning it last year."

• Scottish Premier League Winner 12/13 Win Outright: Ross County 500/1