Former Rangers star Richard Gough believes the first Old Firm derby of the season could have a major impact on what looks set to be the closest title race in years.
Rangers welcome Celtic to Ibrox on Saturday in a Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash that both teams will be determined to win.
Celtic have the upper hand heading into the match, they boast a three-point advantage at the top of the SPL, but Gough insists the beauty of these matches is that anything could happen this weekend.
"I think it will have a bearing on the season," he said. "You always look at the Old Firm results, or the results of the teams close around you.
"It's also a psychological advantage if Rangers can beat Celtic on Saturday. These games are always unpredictable and that's what makes them such fascinating affairs at times.
"Celtic are playing well at the moment, they are three points ahead, so a win would put Rangers level and that's a great incentive for the lads."
Walter Smith has claimed victory from both meetings with Celtic since his return to the Ibrox helm in January and will be under pressure to complete a hat-trick of wins having now seemingly bridged the gap between the two rivals.
"Hopefully it goes Rangers' way," said Gough. "These games are always difficult to predict, especially now that the two teams are much closer than they have been in the last couple of years. But I think Rangers will do well."
Gough believes Alan Hutton could have a major role to play this weekend - if he recovers from injury in time.
The young full-back has been ruled out of Scotland's Euro 2008 qualifier in Georgia on Wednesday night with a calf injury picked up against Ukraine and is now a doubt for the visit of Celtic.
"He has played very, very well this season," said Gough.
"He was one of the players who was getting a bit of stick last year but he has shown his true colours and he has played fantastically well for Rangers and Scotland this season.
"I think that's been down to the stability of Walter Smith and players like Davie Weir. It's more settled at Ibrox now than it was before.
"It's very difficult for a young player to come in at Rangers or Celtic at any time but if there is a lack of stability then it's doubly hard. Now that things are more stable, he has settled in well and it's good to see."
Gough was speaking at Setanta's launch of their coverage of Saturday's Old Firm match.
Celtic have the upper hand heading into the match, they boast a three-point advantage at the top of the SPL, but Gough insists the beauty of these matches is that anything could happen this weekend.
"I think it will have a bearing on the season," he said. "You always look at the Old Firm results, or the results of the teams close around you.
"It's also a psychological advantage if Rangers can beat Celtic on Saturday. These games are always unpredictable and that's what makes them such fascinating affairs at times.
"Celtic are playing well at the moment, they are three points ahead, so a win would put Rangers level and that's a great incentive for the lads."
Walter Smith has claimed victory from both meetings with Celtic since his return to the Ibrox helm in January and will be under pressure to complete a hat-trick of wins having now seemingly bridged the gap between the two rivals.
"Hopefully it goes Rangers' way," said Gough. "These games are always difficult to predict, especially now that the two teams are much closer than they have been in the last couple of years. But I think Rangers will do well."
Gough believes Alan Hutton could have a major role to play this weekend - if he recovers from injury in time.
The young full-back has been ruled out of Scotland's Euro 2008 qualifier in Georgia on Wednesday night with a calf injury picked up against Ukraine and is now a doubt for the visit of Celtic.
"He has played very, very well this season," said Gough.
"He was one of the players who was getting a bit of stick last year but he has shown his true colours and he has played fantastically well for Rangers and Scotland this season.
"I think that's been down to the stability of Walter Smith and players like Davie Weir. It's more settled at Ibrox now than it was before.
"It's very difficult for a young player to come in at Rangers or Celtic at any time but if there is a lack of stability then it's doubly hard. Now that things are more stable, he has settled in well and it's good to see."
Gough was speaking at Setanta's launch of their coverage of Saturday's Old Firm match.
Copyright (c) Press Association
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