CELTIC winger James Forrest is more concerned with helping the club into the Champions League than worrying about the state of Scottish football next season as Rangers' problems continue.

Rangers manager Ally McCoist's hopes of rebuilding his squad next season with money from Charles Green's ownership consortium were dashed last night when a Scottish Football Association appeals panel upheld a 12-month transfer embargo for the Ibrox club.

Celtic finished the Clydesdale Bank Premier League 20 points ahead after Rangers were deducted 10 points for going into administration.

And Rangers' latest punishment, mainly for withholding £13million of tax payments, could mean next season's title race is one-sided.

But Forrest is looking outside of Scotland to realise his ambitions for the team, with the target a first foray into the Champions League group stages for four years.

Forrest said: "We'll just focus on ourselves. Whatever happens over there happens.

"We'll just focus on a good pre-season and hopefully get into the Champions League."

Some Celtic fans have threatened not to renew season tickets before tomorrow's deadline until the club make clear their opposition to a newco Rangers joining the SPL, still a possibility if Green's group do not secure a Company Voluntary Arrangement.

But Forrest said: "The fans want to see us win the league and we did that this year.

"I'm sure they want to come back next season and see that again and hopefully qualify for the Champions League as well. So I don't think that should be a worry."

Celtic manager Neil Lennon recently spoke of the impact Forrest made in their final Europa League clash against Udinese in Italy, when a draw was not enough to see them make the knockout stages.

And Forrest is keen to build on his European experience.

Forrest, who will miss Scotland's friendly against the United States later this month with a calf injury, said: "The UEFA Cup this year was good for a lot of the lads who have not played in that before.

"It gave us all experience and hopefully we can take that on this year into the Champions League."

The 20-year-old, who has vowed to choose the Champions League qualifiers over the Olympics if selected for Team GB, ended the season with a number of young player of the year awards and he is confident he can hit the ground running next term.

"I'm delighted to get a few awards to show what I've done throughout the year," he said.

"I'm delighted on a personal note as well as a team note.

"I think my form has been good. I'm just gutted to have been injured for the last few weeks of the season. I'm just focused on getting back fit and playing for Celtic again.

"I've started running in the last week or two. The physios and doctors are happy and I'll definitely be back for pre-season."