Celts will be all shook up by Rangers – Pressley
STEVEN PRESSLEY has backed Rangers to banish a double Old Firm hoodoo and set down a marker with a victory at Parkhead on Saturday.
It’s been nine years since the Ibrox side won the first derby of the season – and you have to go back to 1995 for the last time they won back-to-back encounters in their rivals’ backyard.
Pressley – who lifted the title twice with Rangers and once with Celtic – accepts there’s little between the sides ahead of the weekend blockbuster in the East End of Glasgow.
But he thinks Rangers have the edge in terms of performances so far this season.
And he reckons the Hoops’ injury and Covid problems – which will see them without James Forrest, Ryan Christie, Nir Bitton and Hatem Abd Elhamed – will swing the match in Rangers’ favour.
“There is very little between them,” Pressley told Sky Sports. “Celtic have won their last seven league games. Rangers out of their first 10 have only dropped four points, drawing twice.
“Performance wise, there’s no doubt Rangers have looked the better team but results would indicate Celtic are also playing very well although some people would debate that. It makes for an interesting game.
“Celtic are missing a number of key players and I think Rangers might win this game at the weekend.”
With the gates remaining closed to punters due to ongoing coronavirus restrictions the derby is going to be played out in the strangest of Old Firm backdrops.
Pressley said: “It’s not going to be the Old Firm game as we know it. But it’s certainly got the same importance. It’s a massive match for both clubs.”