Pundit Mark Wilson was left dumbfounded by claims from fellow pundit Gordon Dalziel that Rangers were under the same level of pressure as Celtic going into the Scottish Cup semi-final.
Michael Beale will look to keep his side on course for his first silverware as Ibrox boss when they meet Ange Postecoglou's side at Hampden, while the Celtic boss will be looking to take a step towards the only trophy in Scottish football that has alluded him since arriving in Glasgow. Rangers will look to see off their rivals and face either Inverness Caley Thistle or Falkirk in the showpiece final to set the tone for Beale's planned summer rebuild.
But with Celtic fans desperate to see their side claim a clean sweep of Scottish football honours this term, Dalziel reckons the pressure will be equal when Callum McGregor and James Tavernier lead out the sides at the national stadium. A caller put to the panel that Rangers "need" the Scottish Cup more than Celtic, and Dalziel responded: "I totally take on the point.
"Whether you are playing for a trophy or the three points I think it's still the same, I think both teams will be under pressure. Celtic fans already have it in their head - not the players, not the manager, but the fans - that there is a Treble there.
'That adds a bit of pressure. Rangers fans have got it in their heads 'if we beat Celtic here, at least there is a great chance we finish on a great high into the summer'.
Host Gordon Duncan interjected noting that the maths didn't back up the point. He commented that "the pressure of reducing your three trophies to two is not as great as reducing your one to zero."
Dalziel went on: "I still think Rangers, no matter what happens in this game - unless it's a freak result for Celtic and gets really embarrassing - the managers will get criticised but they don't come under pressure., especially Michael Beale. He will get the summer to do the rebuilding job, but they are desperate to finish on a high.
"I don't see Rangers mounting themselves up with more pressure. Celtic are winners, serial winners, and look they will want that Treble more than anything in the whole world."
Wilson fired back as he backed up host Duncan: "I disagree. I think there is more pressure on Rangers and Beale. I think the way the cup final went, that's another one ticked off.
"Even the draw at Ibrox, it was in Rangers grasp and they gave up on it and Kyogo nicked an equaliser. The game at Celtic Park, I mean who knows how that is going to go, but the way Celtic have been playing at Celtic Park you would fancy them in that one.
"That comes before the semi-final. The pressure then - if Beale doesn't get a result at Celtic Park - is on Beale. It doesn't matter what else happens in the league."
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