Andy Halliday reckons former club Rangers will lose out in this weekend's derby match with Celtic - but it won't decide whether or not they win the title come May.
The Light Blues travel across the city to Parkhead in the first contest between the pair this season. Rangers are the chasing team as they sit two points behind Celtic going into this one and they are desperate to put a dent in Ange Postecoglou's side's 100% start. According to their former midfielder though, an even game will be played out and it won't be a victory for Giovanni van Bronckhorst's men.
Speaking to Grosvenor Sport, the Hearts player explained: "Celtic v Rangers will be a tight affair this weekend, these games always are. Celtic have started the season better than Rangers, they're scoring goals at will and are the deserved favourites.
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"I expect both teams to enjoy spells of dominance and both to score a goal. I'd say it'll be a 1-1 draw or Celtic will win 2-1.
"If you look back at last season, Rangers were seven points clear of Celtic all the way through to January and Celtic managed to claw it back and win the league so the weekends result won't have any bearing on where the league title ends up at the end of the season.
"Whoever settles into the game quicker will win. For Rangers, the one thing they don't want to do is concede early because the fans of the home team can become the 12th man towards the end of the match.
"Celtic have an obvious advantage playing at home - they'll be backed by 60,000+ fans and that's why I think it's vital that Rangers start the game well. They need to try and quieten down the crowd."
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