Wednesday 13 April 2016 13:01, UK
Sky Sports pundit Neil McCann believes Rangers can pull off a shock victory over city rivals Celtic in Sunday's Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden.
Fresh from securing the Scottish Championship title, Mark Warburton's side beat League One Peterhead in the final of the Petrofac Training Cup at the national stadium on Sunday.
McCann, who won three Scottish titles, four Scottish Cups and two League Cups at Ibrox between 1998 and 2003, says the improvement under Warburton could be key in the live Sky Sports cup clash.
His former club go into the game on the high of a cup triumph, but they shipped nine goals in league games against Falkirk, Queen of the South and Raith Rovers.
Speaking to Sky Sports Now, however, McCann insisted that Rangers are capable of matching the Hoops on their day.
"I'm just so glad Rangers are back in the Premiership again and we are going to get to enjoy that occasion many times next season," he said. "This weekend is a taster of what we can expect next year."
Asked how much closer Rangers are to Celtic, the former Hearts and Scotland winger, said: "I think they are a lot closer in terms of where they were a couple of seasons ago [in Scottish League One].
"I said at the weekend, after watching Celtic beat Motherwell, that I believe Rangers have improved an awful lot under Mark Warburton and I'm not sure Celtic have. That is the worry that Celtic fans will have going into this match.
"By the same token, I still think they (Rangers) are vulnerable at the back and that is where Celtic hold the ace in Leigh Griffiths.
Rangers have improved an awful lot under Mark Warburton and I'm not sure Celtic have and that is the worry Celtic fans will have.
"This game is a lot closer than what it was back then and I think it could go all the way... I really do. I don't think a team will come out and blow the other away.
"If Rangers can replicate the performance they put in against Dundee in the last round, they stand a very good opportunity of winning the match.
"If Celtic play to their very best, then they probably would maybe just edge it, but Celtic have not been playing at their best and that's what puts the tie in such a perfect balance."
Watch the Glasgow derby on Sky Sports 2 HD from 11am this Sunday.
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