Michael Stewart shares Rangers v Celtic verdict live on BBC Sportscene
Michael Stewart has claimed Celtic will find their trip to Ibrox to face Rangers difficult on Sunday 3 September, with the latter needing a reaction from their European defeat to PSV.
Stewart claimed that a visit to Ibrox would not be easy for Celtic, having not scored in either of their last two games, with Michael Beale demanding a response from his own side.
Rangers were defeated by a heavy 5-1 scoreline by PSV in their Champions League qualifier in midweek and will be looking to bounce back with a victory in the Old Firm derby.
Speaking live on BBC Sportscene [03 September, 20:13], Stewart discussed his prediction for the first Old Firm clash of the season: “Obviously, it goes without saying it has been a disappointing couple of games for Brendan Rodgers,” he said.
“They haven’t scored in their last two games, and they’re going away against their biggest rivals, it’s not going to be easy.
“For Rangers, they need to get a reaction after the European game.”
Pressure mounting on both sides
Both Beale and Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers will be feeling the pressure heading into the derby game, with turbulent starts to both of their seasons resulting in early pressure from their respective fanbases, in a demand for instant results.
For Rangers, the club have invested heavily in backing Beale over the summer, bringing in a host of new signings who will be expected to gel quickly to give them the best chance of mounting a title challenge, as Beale enters his first full season as the manager at Ibrox.
Having lost their opening-day fixture against Kilmarnock, before being humbled in Europe by PSV, the pressure will be increasing on Beale, with a defeat in the Old Firm often the straw that breaks the camel’s back, as it can be near impossible to recover your reputation among the fans.
Rangers head into the game at Ibrox as surprise favourites given Celtic’s recent dominance over this fixture, but must be cautious they don’t get caught out by their opponent’s recent struggles for goals – they are still more than capable.
In other Rangers news, Stephen McGowan has delivered his own ‘poisonous’ Old Firm verdict