John Collins backs Celtic despite Rangers improvement
Thursday 8 March 2018 14:20, UK
John Collins believes Rangers have made impressive progress under manager Graeme Murty but still thinks Celtic will be favourites to win Sunday’s Old Firm game.
Murty's side will move to within three points of their Glasgow rivals with victory at Ibrox, live on Sky Sports as part of 'Rivalry Weekend'.
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Rangers have won their last four games in the Scottish Premiership and will also face Celtic in the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup after they beat Falkirk 4-1 last weekend.
But former Celtic midfielder Collins is not convinced they have improved enough to defeat Brendan Rodgers' side, having lost their last three league meetings at Ibrox.
"Rangers have definitely made progress, especially in the last three months," Collins told Sky Sports News.
"He [Murty] has got his new signings in, Rangers are on a good run, are scoring goals and Celtic have dropped their standards, both defensively and offensively.
"Rangers haven't been anywhere near it for the last few years but the loan signings made in January have hit the ground running and they are playing good football.
"But the acid test is always the Old Firm game. Can Rangers produce and get a win at home? The last three times Celtic have gone to Ibrox it has resulted in convincing victories but that was a Celtic team that was in full flow.
"They are not at their best at the moment and confidence is a little bit low. I still think Celtic are favourites for the match, though.
"They have had a lot of injuries but Celtic usually produce in the big games.
"They are six points clear with a game in hand but Rangers are at home so it's going to be interesting, a real tactical battle."
Collins does feel the improvement made by Rangers this season is good for the league as a whole, however, with a genuine title challenger to Celtic badly needed to give the Scottish top-flight a boost.
"You want a competitive league, with two or three teams battling at the top of the table and that hasn't been the case," added Collins.
"Celtic have had it too easy for too long. Their fans are loving it but for the good of Scottish football, we require a competitive league."
Watch Rangers v Celtic on Sunday. Coverage begins on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football from 11:30am.
