And finally…Out with the Old Firm…in with the Catalans

Latest figures have revealed that Glasgow’s youngsters are now buying more FC Barcelona strips than both Celtic and Rangers put together.

According to sports retailers across the city, Barca kits in kids and junior sizes have been selling like hot cakes and are currently a rare find for young Glaswegian fans of Messi, Neymar, Iniesta and co.

But there is no shortage of the famous home-grown Hoops or Royal Blue in the shops of the historically football-divided city.

Greaves, JD Sports and DW Sports have all reported spike in the popularity of the new Champions League winners with sales and pre-orders for the Catalan giants’ kit up 130 per cent.

Miller Greaves, director of Greaves Sports in Glasgow, said: “We always knew it was going to be popular but it has been better than expected.

“We’ve sold a couple of hundred jerseys, easily more than the Old Firm combined.

“Years ago, they used to be our biggest launches but that’s totally changed now.”

Chain store JD Sports has also reported soaring Scottish sales.

A spokeswoman said: “Last year, it was all about Ronaldo and Real Madrid and Barcelona kits didn’t fare quite so well. So this year, we bought a similar amount and, typically, it’s all Barca and Messi so we’ve had to put an order in for extra stock to cope with the demand.”

The chain is expecting similar interest when the new Barcelona away kit goes on sale on Thursday.

John Nisbet, from DW Sports at Glasgow Fort shopping centre, added: “It outsells Celtic and Rangers individually and we get asked for it three or four times a day.”