Kenny Miller has urged Rangers' midfielders that they will need to 'get to grips' with 'Angeball' in Sunday's Old Firm derby if they are to taste success in the Viaplay Cup final.
The Gers have not fared too well in Old Firm clashes recently, with their last league win coming over 18 months ago in Ange Postecoglou's derby debut courtesy of a Filip Helander header. Alongside the fact that their last two derby games at Parkhead have seen Celtic win 3-0 and 4-0, Rangers will need to shore up their defence before taking to the national stadium.
Last season's Scottish Cup semi-final will give them some hope on neutral turf, and Michael Beale's run of 13 wins in 14 games so far in his spell will further encourage fans that he is the man to bring them cup glory against their fierce rivals. But Miller has pinpointed the midfield battle as the reason for their drubbings away from home. With Celtic having sufficient depth middle of the park, their stars are constantly being kept on their toes, as opposed to Rangers, who have suffered absences in midfield throughout the season.
Miller said on Open Goal: "It's not just them being better individually. If it was Hatate, McGregor and O'Riley or even Mooy, they've just played together that much.
"There's goals in them, they can all take the ball, they all work their socks off, I just think with the time they've had together...who is it going to be for Rangers? Is it going to be Kamara, Raskin, Cantwell or Jack, is Lundstram fit?
"Are these guys going to be available? I just think they're really really cohesive that Celtic team, from midfield to front. And you can even throw their full-backs into it as well.
"That's how they've caused Rangers problems in the past - the 3-0 last February and the 4-0 this season - they're just pulling Rangers all over the place and Rangers never knew how to deal with it. Subsequently they have dealt with it afterwards, but it is in those two games they've had in the last year where they've been absolutely torn apart and they need to get to grips with it. Celtic are a top team."
