LUBOMIR MORAVCIK says that all the pressure is on Rangers ahead of this weekend’s Old Firm clash, with the Celtic legend predicting his old team will pile on the misery for Steven Gerrard’s beleaguered side at Ibrox.
The Slovakian can’t see any other outcome than a Celtic victory on Sunday, with Neil Lennon’s men increasing their advantage at the top of the table to 13 points.
Moravcik believes that the 10-point lead Celtic currently enjoy will allow them to play with freedom at the home of their city rivals, and that will allow them to settle the score from their defeat at the hands of Rangers at Celtic Park in the last meeting between the clubs.
“I didn’t see the game in December, but for the Celtic players, the situation is obviously better now than it was two months ago,” Moravcik said.
“I would say that Celtic are favourites for this game. They should be more relaxed this time around and be able to play more with their brains rather than rushing things.
“It is Rangers that are under more pressure in this game. They are playing at home, they are 10 points behind Celtic, so all the pressure is on their shoulders.
“That is a massive advantage for the Celtic players, because they can now play clever. Rangers have to push, and we can be clever, play well, stay focused, and that is a lot easier to do when you don’t have that pressure on your shoulders.
“The Celtic players are in a much better situation going into the game, a very comfortable situation.”
Moravcik has backed striker Leigh Griffiths to start in the game, with the deadly partnership he has formed with Odsonne Edouard since the winter break another factor swinging the game in Celtic’s favour.
“There are a lot of players in good form,” he said. “Leigh Griffiths is back, which is very important for Celtic because he is a very good and clever player who is able to score goals.
“Odsonne Edouard is very strong up front too. With two players like that, it is a major strong point of the team, and if Celtic are well organised, then I think they must win this game by a couple of goals.
“Celtic are in better form. Rangers have shown in the Europa League that they are capable of putting on a good performance over 90 minutes and raise their game, but in my opinion, Celtic can win this game by a couple.”
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