Confident Andy Walker reckons Celtic will not have their title bid derailed by Rangers - even if they lose the Viaplay Cup final to their Glasgow rivals.
And he insists the main boost Michael Beale can take away from Hampden on Sunday would be that he has derailed Ange Postecoglou's bid to land a domestic treble. The Hoops boast a comfortable nine point lead over their rivals at the top of the Scottish Premiership, having lost only one game so far to this campaign, and could lift the first silverware of the season in Scotland with victory over their Old Firm rivals.
Former Celtic star Walker has ruled out a collapse should the current League Cup holders slip up at the national stadium as he branded the Hoops' favourites due to having "better players". While predicting a blockbuster fixture, he reckons the green side of Glasgow will be celebrating at full-time.
Walker told Sky Sports: "It's going to be a terrific contest. It's always fascinating and compelling when Celtic and Rangers go together, especially now when Michael Beale has come in and I don't think he can do much more than what he has done up until now. He is unbeaten and has only dropped a couple of points in the league and that was against Celtic.
"I think we will learn a lot at the weekend. I think it will be a tight contest but I think Celtic are favourites. If you have Celtic in their best form and put them against Rangers in their best from I think Celtic have better players, and I think they would win.
"The game at Ibrox was a great contest. Celtic started really well but Rangers' response was really good. It did take them a bit of time to start, but I think at Hampden with it being 50/50 (the crowd) I don't think it will faze Celtic at all.
"They are so used to winning trophies time and time again, and there is only a few Rangers players who have the experience of getting the title a few years ago. It is set up to be a cracker, there are match winners on both sides."
When pushed on if a Rangers win could impact the title race, Walker couldn't see beyond Celtic for lifting the title trophy. He said: "Whoever wins will obviously get a bit of momentum, but even if Rangers win I can't see Celtic collapsing. They have only lost once this season to St Mirren.
"Their response has been a bit like Michael Beale coming in (at Rangers), they are unbeaten since then. It would take an almighty collapse from Celtic to give up this league title. Whoever wins this on Sunday, there will only be one team that can do the Treble. I think that will make it a fascinating contest."
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