Eric Sviatchenko has revealed that he loves life with MLS side Houston Dynamo - especially now that he can give the head of sports science Alex Calder pelters after he outed himself as a Rangers fan.

The former Celtic defender explained that he has been ribbing fitness and strength coach Calder mercilessly over his support for the Light Blues ever since.

The Dane won two league titles, a Scottish Cup and a League Cup at Parkhead and played a significant role in the Hoops' invincible domestic campaign in 2016-17.

Sviatchenko fell foul of then Hoops manager Brendan Rodgers who limited his game-time during his second season in charge at Parkhead in 2017-18.

That forced the defender to head back home after he was denied the opportunity to move to Leicester City during that season's January transfer window.

The 31-year-old made the switch from FC Midtjylland in his homeland to the MLS back in March and insists that he couldn't be happier.

READ MORE: John Hartson on Celtic v Rangers Hampden showdowns

He said: "You couldn't make this up but can you believe that Houston Dynamo have a physical coach called Alex Calder and he told me that he was a Rangers supporter?

"I remind him every day that as a Celtic player I won the Invincible treble under Brendan Rodgers. He's not having it!

"There is some wonderful banter flying around between the two of us. I think in Glasgow it's called giving it tight to someone, isn't it? I am giving it to Alex tight right now because Celtic are the team in the ascendency once again in Scotland and long may that continue.

"Alex reckons Rangers will win this Sunday's Scottish Cup semi-final between the two sides at Hampden but I keep telling him they have no chance and that Ange Postecoglou's Celtic remain on course to win a historic eighth treble.

"Although I have still to play my first game in the MLS, I am approaching full fitness so I can't wait to get out there on the pitch with the rest of the players and do my bit to help the team and hopefully it won't be too long until I do that.

"Life is really great right now and it is more than I could have hoped for in terms of a career move at this stage of my career. My family are loving being in Houston and they have settled very well in America."