FORMER Hearts and Scotland manager Craig Levein says he hopes Rangers win the Premiership this season - because he 'can't stand this whole ten-in-a-row thing'.

The Ibrox club currently have the lead in the title race and are six points clear of Celtic having played an extra game. However, that gap could be extended to nine points on Sunday if Steven Gerrard's side leave Kilmarnock with all three points, with Celtic taking on Aberdeen at Hampden in the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup tomorrow afternoon.

The importance that fans of the Parkhead club have placed on this season is well-documented as their side go in search of an unprecedented tenth consecutive championship victory.

Levein, though, hopes that Rangers can clinch their first top-flight title since the 2010/11 campaign this term - because he's fed up with the hype surrounding Celtic's bid for ten-in-a-row.

Appearing on BBC's Off The Ball, Levein said: "They [Celtic] have been over the course before but you know, I just can't stand this whole ten-in-a-row thing. It really gets to me.

"I just don't want there to be all the hassle that goes with it. It would be good if Rangers won the league this season so it's back to square one.

"I just don't want this whole ten-in-a-row thing to become more than it is. It goes back to zero and we can start again."