Former Celtic boss Gordon Strachan has heavily backed the Hoops to stop Rangers’ revival in its tracks in the Old Firm derby on Sunday.
Celtic travel to Ibrox with their lead at the top of the Premiership now cut to six points by a resurgent Rangers side that have won their last six on the trot.
The Hoops still have a game in hand on the Light Blues and could potentially extend their advantage to nine points once again if they win on Sunday.
Former boss Strachan has now delivered his verdict and strong prediction for the match, saying that a Celtic win would stop Rangers’ renaissance with a bang.
Speaking to the Daily Record, Strachan said: “If Rangers win then it could set off some alarm bells and put a few doubts in Celtic’s minds. That’s what they’ll be hoping for – to find a chink in their armour and exploit it. To cause anxiety for the rest of the season. But vice versa, if Celtic go there and go, ‘Bang! There you go, 4-0,’ then that’s it. ‘See how close you thought you were to us? Well, you’re nowhere near it!’
“If you think you are improving only to find out you’re not it’s a helluva fall. So this thing works both ways. Most people are thinking about how it will affect Celtic if they get beat. But it’s just as important to ask how it will affect Rangers. They are bombing along right now with their momentum ?going and thinking they are getting closer. How will they react if all ?of a sudden the wheels are blown off?”
“I’m heavily tipping Celtic to go there and win. The Rangers players are up for it, or so I hear, but then we can all make noises. But if that really is the case then the reverberations of that will bring a reaction from the Celtic players and give them an extra edge. So by creating this ?enthusiasm, extra energy and confidence Rangers now have to face the consequence.”
OPINION
It is no surprise to hear that Strachan is backing Celtic for the win on Sunday. And it would also be hardly surprising if they pull off a big win. Rangers have struggled to get the better of their bitter rivals in recent times, and their recent resurgence could all come crashing down again at Ibrox. They have not been particularly good at home this season, and the one time they were severely tested recently came against Hibs, in a game which they lost. However, it is a massive game with massive connotations, and if Rangers can pull off a win then we have a title fight on our hands for the first time in years.