Friday 30 January 2015 15:30, UK
Former Celtic striker Craig Beattie believes his old team will be too strong for Rangers when the sides clash in Sunday's Scottish League Cup semi-final at Hampden Park.
While admitting 'anything can happen in football', the Ayr United forward - who started his career as a schoolboy at Rangers - believes the gulf in class between the sides will see Ronny Deila's men prevail.
The match is the first between the sides in nearly three years but the differing fortunes in recent times for the Glasgow clubs is unlikely to dim the fervour of their supporters.
It’s been known in the past that teams raise their games when they are underdogs and Rangers are certainly underdogs
Speaking to Sky Sports News HQ, 31-year-old Beattie said: "This is a huge game, the biggest fixture in Scottish football this season. It's been such a long time coming – everyone’s really looking forward to it.
"It’s been known in the past that teams raise their games when they are underdogs and Rangers are certainly underdogs.
"Rangers will have a fear of being embarrassed. So in theory, Celtic should cruise it but in reality they probably won’t. Football is a funny old game and it won’t be as one-sided as everyone predicts.
"Looking at the game, Rangers will have to sit in and keep it tight – possibly hit Celtic on the break - and defend for their lives.
Whatever the result of Sunday's clash, which he predicted would end 4-0 in Celtic's favour, Beattie said it will be a difficult few months ahead for Rangers.
'Strengthen'
"It’s a hard one to predict," he said. "If Rangers do get promoted, they have a summer to strengthen. With what’s going on at Ibrox at the moment, at the top, you don’t quite know what would happen.
"But you’d think they’d need to get rid of players before they could strengthen. Would they spend money to try and compete?
"Rangers are sitting second behind Hearts at the minute. If they were dominating that league, it would be looking a bit more positive for them, but they are struggling during a lot of games in the Championship.
"I would think, as it stands, they would struggle massively in the Premiership."
Beattie was much more bullish for Celtic, saying he believes their season will end on a high.
"Celtic are doing what they have to at the minute," he said. "They are still in Europe with a big game against Inter Milan next up in the Europa League.
I would think, as it stands, Rangers would struggle massively in the Premiership.
"On the domestic front, Aberdeen and Dundee United are looking good but Celtic will come good in the end and will win the league.
"If Rangers were there and in a position to compete, it would be a completely different story but Celtic don’t have to peak for the Old Firm game on Sunday.
"A run in Europe and winning the league will be more than achievable for them."
