Hinkel: Old Stuttgart pals helped me win title

Aug 3 2008

ANDREAS HINKEL has thanked old club Stuttgart for helping the Hoops win the title last year - by forcing Rangers on to their epic UEFA Cup run.

The German full-back accepts Gers' charge to the final was a factor in his side's three-in-a-row success.

And he admits Stuttgart did Celtic a massive favour by finishing bottom of Rangers' Champions League group, sending Walter Smith's men into the UEFA Cup.

Hinkel said: "Rangers getting to the UEFA Cup Final had an influence on how the games went at the end of the season.

"I have to thank Stuttgart because they had a chance to finish third in the group and go into the competition instead of Rangers.

"But Rangers got in and had so many games. That was good for us."

Hinkel knows he faces a fight for his jersey from Mark Wilson and Paul Caddis.

He said: "It's just like at Seville where I was competing with Daniel Alves. The club had success and it doesn't matter how many games you play - everyone contributes."