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Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
Sport
Alan Galindo

Celtic will face 'different challenge' from Rangers as Kenny Miller talks Michael Beale 'uplift'

Kenny Miller believes Ange Postecoglou and his Celtic side will face a 'different challenge' when they come up against Rangers at Ibrox.

The Old Firm rivals lock horns on January 2 as they meet for the second time this season. The Scottish champions ran out big 4-0 winners at Parkhead in the clash between the duo earlier this campaign - but it is all change in the Ibrox dugout with Michael Beale now at the helm after the sacking of Dutchman Giovanni van Bronckhorst.

The 42-year-old has made the perfect start to life on his Glasgow return with three wins from three Premiership outings. After back to back five-goal thrillers - that included a stunning Scott Arfield injury time double comeback win over Aberdeen at Pittodrie - they won last time out in Dingwall against Ross County with Motherwell next up at Ibrox this evening. Rangers dropped points to the likes of Livingston, St Johnstone and St Mirren pre-World Cup shutdown under the previous management regime, however, Miller believes things have turned a corner and the derby will be in the 'balance'.

READ NEXT: Michael Beale won't be spooked by Celtic transfer business as Rangers boss why told 'quality' matters after previous flops

He told Grosvenor Sport: "There needs to be respect shown towards Rangers and, having listened to Ange Postecoglou, I have no doubt he'll show every team the utmost respect but he'll be going into every single game with the belief that his team can win.

"There's definitely been an uplift since Michael has come back to Ibrox and I know the players will be happy because of the relationship they had with him.

"It won't be the same Rangers that Celtic faced previously and the one that was dropping points left, right and centre before the World Cup - it'll be a different challenge.

"Even though the Old Firm is at Ibrox, Celtic maybe edge the contest as favourites with the way they're playing and the results that they've got. The game will be in the balance."

READ NEXT:

- Scott Arfield Rangers future claim as veteran confirms no 'new talks' but makes age admission

- Filip Helander in Rangers 'underrated' claim as former Ibrox defender backs crocked star for revival mission

- Michael Beale won't be spooked by Celtic transfer business as Rangers boss why told 'quality' matters after previous flops

- John Lundstram insists Rangers focus off Celtic gap as he reveals Old Firm derby mindset

- Steven Davis suffers severe Rangers injury as club confirm veteran's season over with knee problem

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