Andy Walker believes Rangers would need an 'almighty collapse' from rivals Celtic to hand them a pathway back in to the title race.
Michael Beale and Ange Postecoglou will go head to head on Sunday for the right to the first piece of silverware on offer this season with the last encounter at the national stadium between the two ending in triumph for the Light Blues in extra-time. The landscape of the league title does not favour Rangers, however, as Postecoglou's men sit nine points clear and haven't lost since September.
And Sky Sports pundit Walker insists that Beale faces an uphill challenge to claw back the gap, but that the Englishman has match winners in his side that could sting the champions at Hampden in the Viaplay Cup final.
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He 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 theirs, 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 a 50/50 crowd, I don't think it will faze Celtic.
"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."
He added: "Whoever wins will obviously get a bit of momentum, but even if Rangers win I can't see Celtic collapsing.
"Their response has been a bit like Michael Beale coming in, 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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