Shaun Maloney believes Rangers have every chance of getting a positive result from Monday’s derby, but only if they can stop Celtic playing as he points to how Michael Beale's men should press the Hoops.
Ange Postecoglou's men are unbeaten in their last four Scottish Premiership meetings with Rangers and go into the New Year clash at Ibrox nine points clear at the league's summit. The visitors are favourites to continue their recent momentum after an emphatic away win over Hibernian in midweek which puts more emphasis on the hosts to take something and cut the deficit.
And Maloney reckons Rangers were just starting to get to grips with how to stop Postecoglou's trail blazers under Beale's predecessor Gio Van Bronckhorst before he was sacked in November. He told PLZ: "Even under Gio, apart from the 4-0 game, I actually felt that Rangers were starting to actually figure out how to play against Celtic in the way that they play with their full-backs. I think there's only been a couple of teams who have had more possession than Celtic since Ange has come in, domestically, with Rangers being one of them.
"I think because it's Micheal Beale's first Old Firm game and you mention he's going to go strong and very aggressive, I think they have to stop Celtic playing.
"I think if you allow Celtic to play, I know we've seen at Aberdeen, if you allow them to get into your half of the pitch then they will cause you problems. I'm actually really looking forward to seeing how Rangers try and stop that because under [Steven] Gerrard the way that they pressed, I think they will go very similar with Michael Beale and I actually think it's the best way to press Celtic.
"You have to go as high as you can because if you allow them into your own half then the rotations and the players they have, I think they get hurt."
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