KRIS COMMONS, the Celtic midfielder, has conceded that the prospect of a dream season with three domestic trophies cannot disguise the fact he wants Rangers back in the SPFL Premiership as quickly as possible.

The 31-year-old concedes the fourth treble of his club's rich history is now so close that he can almost touch it and insists the absence of their arch-rivals from the top division would not devalue such an achievement in the slightest.

However, having recently signed a deal that will keep him at Parkhead until the summer of 2017, he is desperate to see Rangers knocked into shape by their new manager Stuart McCall and capable of returning the Old Firm derby to the calendar.

"The games with Rangers are the best games," said Commons."They draw the best crowds and a large TV audience of people around the world.

"It makes people want to get out of bed in the middle of the night in Australia and watch a game.

"My mates down south don't know a great deal about Scottish football, but they want to see that game.

"I love playing in them. There are a lot of fans who are on the fence about whether it's right or wrong, but I enjoy the games."

Celtic play host to Dundee United this evening in a quarter-final replay in the William Hill Scottish Cup with Inverness Caledonian Thistle waiting for the winner in the last four.

Commons put United to the sword with the opening goal in Sunday's 2-0 League Cup final victory at Hampden and moved his manager, Ronny Deila, closer to his "dream" of three cups in the cabinet at the end of his first season in Scotland.

Jock Stein and Martin O'Neill are the only managers to achieved such a feat with Celtic and Commons insists Deila will deserve to take his place beside them irrespective of the situation Rangers find themselves in at the moment.

"If we can get across the line and achieve this treble, I don't think it should be belittled or looked upon as a lesser achievement," he said. "It's the same sort of level.

"I think the last time it was done was in an era when money and wages were massive.

"You look at that team with (Chris) Sutton, (Neil) Lennon, (John) Hartson and (Henrik) Larsson. They were on fortunes and I think they got a huge amount of credit for what they did."

Commons realises his hopes of renewing hostilities with Rangers next season are still some way from coming to pass. Hearts are runaway leaders in the Championship and Rangers seem more preoccupied with hanging onto a play-off spot than winning promotion.

Commons admits, however, that he has not been shocked by the way the Ibrox side have failed to adjust to life at a lower level.

"Listen, it is not just Rangers," said Commons. "I have played in the Championship in England with teams trying to get back up and it's not easy.

"Some teams go down from the Premier League and they end up in League One two or three years later, like Blackpool, Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday.

"Not only does affect the players, the manager and coaches and the fans. It's a city thing. It's a massive thing.

"It's very difficult to have the wind knocked out of your sails and become and very confident bunch of lads to get promotion.

"Bournemouth and Brentford are showing momentum coming from League One and now heading towards the Premiership.

"When you have a team that's full of confidence and winning, it's very natural.

"When you are struggling - as Rangers are - to make that step, that's when you need to call on experience. That's what they are obviously trying to do with Stuart McCall."