Rangers REFUSE to allow Celtic legends Neil Lennon and Chris Sutton into Ibrox for BT Sport punditry roles for Europa League clash with Lyon as it would present 'security concerns'

• Rangers are due to host Lyon in the Europa League group stages on Thursday
• BT Sport wanted to have pundits Neil Lennon and Chris Sutton inside Ibrox
• But Rangers refused entry to the Celtic legends as it raises 'security concerns'
• BT Sport have been forced to change their plans close to kick-off in Glasgow 

Rangers refused entry to Chris Sutton and Neil Lennon at Ibrox on Thursday, citing security concerns as the reason why the former Celtic pair would not be allowed in to conduct punditry work.

It is understood BT Sport were informed of the decision yesterday afternoon, hours before Rangers hosted Lyon in an 8pm kick off in the Europa League. Celtic were facing Real Betis at 5.45pm.

Sutton and Lennon were supposed to provide coverage from Ibrox but were unable to fulfil their duties as BT made alternative arrangements to cover Celtic from their London studios.

'We had hoped that Darrell Currie and the team would be able to present the coverage of both the Celtic and Rangers UEFA Europa League games live from Ibrox,' a BT statement said, 'as we have done in the past. Rangers have since raised security concerns and so we have to change our plans.'

Speaking on Thursday, Sutton said it was Rangers chief executive Stewart Robertson who made the call. 

'Good to see Rangers' ground-breaking diversity and inclusion campaign "Everyone Anyone" is working well,' said the former striker and winner of four Scottish titles with Celtic.

BT presenter Currie was allowed in to Ibrox to cover the 8pm game alongside Ally McCoist and David Weir, the former Rangers players. The Scottish side managed by Steven Gerrard said they had fulfilled their 'UEFA contractual obligations'.