AROUND about the same time as Pedro Caixinha met the Rangers players for the first time, across town one of the Portuguese's new club’s most famous names was singing his praises.

Maurice Johnston was back in Glasgow to talk about the upcoming Old Firm Scottish Cup semi-final but Celtic hardly got a mention except in passing when the Parkhead hero turned heretic was gushing in his approval of the job Brendan Rodgers had been doing.

To coin a phrase, it was all about the Rangers with Super Mo who at least has some knowledge of the man whose task it now is to make the blue half of Glasgow happy again.

Read more: Exclusive: Ibrox coach with local knowledge will be crucial for Rangers boss Pedro Caixinha, says Ian Murray

Johnston has been based across the Atlantic for the best part of two decades now and watched with interest as Caixinha’s Santos Laguna, of Mexico, reached the final of CONCACAF Champions League in 2013, beating MLS teams Toronto, Houston Dynamo and Seattle on the way.

“I actually know a little bit about him,” admitted Johnson. “He did really well at Santos and that’s a big club. He won three trophies with them which isn’t bad. He also did fairly well with Nacional in Portugal. Look, he’s bringing a different perspective, a different mind-set, so it will be interesting.

“The standard of Mexican football is pretty good. It’s similar to the MLS. Just look at the CONCACAF. America has three teams in it and Mexico has teams which have reached the semi-finals. Is it better than Scotland? Yes.

“One thing I will say about him is that he’ll bring in better players to Rangers through his contacts.”

If nothing else, this is going to be an interesting watch for all of us. Caixinha talked a good game on Monday but then they all do that. Exuding confidence in front of the cameras is all very well. Coping in the glare which comes with being at Rangers is something else altogether.

Mark Warburton found living in Glasgow difficult, as did Ronny Deila. It’s not that either of them got a bad time as such; rather walking down the street unnoticed isn’t really on the cards when you are manage one of Glasgow’s gruesome twosome.

Read more: Exclusive: Ibrox coach with local knowledge will be crucial for Rangers boss Pedro Caixinha, says Ian Murray

“That part will be hard for him,” said Johnstone. “If Pedro stays in Edinburgh and gets away from it all, then that might be better for him. That’s what I did and it worked.

“He’s feisty. I’ll tell you that. He’s a bullfighter, isn’t he? I think he will fine, But he’s got to win. That’s the most important thing for him. Second isn’t good enough for Rangers.”

Caixinha is in the market for a Scottish coach. Would the bold Mo be interested?

“Me and a bullfighter? What could go wrong?” Quite.

Eyebrows were raised when the new face of Rangers declared his squad to be the best in the county, although he did qualify his words by stating he always believes in his players. This is absolutely understandable but the Portuguese might be in for a shock.

“Well I don’t know how you can judge after just one game,” said Johnston "He surely doesn’t know the full squad. There is no way they are better than Celtic. Maybe he was trying a bit of reverse psychology there. But there is no danger that Celtic aren’t way better.

“The gap is as big as everyone says it is. The points are on the board. It’s there for everyone to see. That tells you where the two teams are at this moment in time. It might even get further before this season is out.”

For those who never bought into the old argument of ‘Scottish football is desperate for Rangers to get back’ then look away now. Johnston is in that camp, while making the observation that Celtic could do with competition from not just their traditional foes.

“I would say yes, Scottish football needs a strong Rangers,” he said: “Rangers being no good is what has been hurting the national team for the last four or five years.

Read more: Exclusive: Ibrox coach with local knowledge will be crucial for Rangers boss Pedro Caixinha, says Ian Murray

"Do Celtic need a strong Rangers? Well, what I would say about that is Celtic are different class right now. They are playing really good football. Brendan Rodgers has done a great job. But Scottish football needs a strong Rangers. The league needs it.

“It was a different era when I played. David Murray was spending money and we had some great players back then. We had the money to back us.

“And Aberdeen Dundee United, Hearts and Hibs, as well as Celtic, were pushing us. It’s now a one horse race. Celtic are so far in front of the rest that it’s not even funny. Rodgers deserves huge credit but it’s not going to help them if nobody is pushing them. That’s one million per cent true.”

What is also true, according to Johnston, is that in Moussa Dembele, Celtic have a superstar on their hands.

“I like him. He’s the real deal, a right good player. He’s only 20 and while people will laugh at the £30m figure, there have been players bought for £50m who have done nothing. So if Celtic can get that amount of money for him then good luck to them.

“I am not sure you can judge any player in terms of what they are worth. If somebody is going to pay that amount of money then that’s what they are worth, and if it’s a Barcelona or Real Madrid that comes in, you will get that £30m.”

Pedro Caixinha will be delighted to hear it.

Maurice Johnston was speaking at a William Hill media event. William Hill is the proud sponsor of the Scottish Cup.