Jock Stein famously said only a fool would try to predict the scoreline in an Old Firm clash.

But Rangers strike legend Ally McCoist has stuck his neck out to go for a 2-1 victory for his old team at Ibrox – as Kenny Miller, who starred for both clubs, labelled it the biggest derby in more than a DECADE.

It’s certainly one of the most eagerly anticipated meetings of the fierce rivals for years with just a point separating them at the top of the Scottish Premiership table, albeit Rangers have a game in hand over the Hoops who have that slender advantage. As the Glasgow giants prepare to go head to head for the 439th time in one of world football’s most famous fixtures, we look at what some derby veterans have said about the upcoming clash where once again there will be no visiting fans and Celtic look to make it three wins from three against Rangers this season.“Sunday’s Old Firm derby is a coin flip – I don’t think there is anything between the two sides. Rangers were dreadfully unlucky in the last game against Celtic at Ibrox, they had a goal disallowed for nothing and Kyogo Furuhashi scored an absolute wonder goal, which to be fair he has always been more than capable of. The fact that Rangers have the home advantage here will be absolutely vital. Old Firm games are usually massively important, but the next one is more important than ever! If Rangers can win this game then it will be a massive step for them towards lifting the Scottish Premiership title. Celtic’s from has been erratic at times, there’s no getting away from that. There has been a little bit of unrest in their camp as well, but you never know what is going to happen in an Old Firm derby. I think Rangers will win the game 2-1 and go on to win the title – but only just.”

Jackie McNamara

Speaking to Sky Sports, the ex Hoops skipper believes it’s vital the champions don’t lose in their quest for three titles in a row.

“Celtic have won the first two games this season and their problems haven’t been against Rangers this season, it is other teams that are sitting in. You would expect Rangers being at home with the support they have got to try and dominate the ball, which creates space. If Celtic keep the intensity up from the very start I think there are areas they can hurt (Rangers). It’s a really important one because there are not many games left. It is imperative Celtic don’t lose the game, because obviously Rangers have the game in hand and there are not many games to go. A draw wouldn’t be the worst result.”

Kenny Miller

The former striker, who has played for both sides, spoke to Ladbrokes FanZone and claimed it’s the biggest derby for a DECADE

“Celtic have obviously dropped more points than Rangers over the last few months, since Philippe Clement came in, and now Rangers have the chance – with their game in hand – to go two points clear at the top of the table. It’s really, really important for Celtic that they don’t get beat. I just think that mentally, and psychologically, it’ll be a real blow to them and their title chances.

They’ve already given up a seven-point lead, so if they were to then see Rangers five points ahead of them in the table, with six games to go, I think it would be a mountain to climb for Celtic. Both teams are getting – pretty much – a full squad back, players returning from injuries: Callum McGregor is potentially going to be back, Cameron Carter-Vickers is back, Reo Hatate is back… on the other side, you’ve got Abdallah Sima coming back in, Todd Cantwell is getting minutes, Rabbi Matondo… it’s looking like all of these guys are going to be up to full speed as we get towards the end of the season. I’d say this is the biggest Old Firm meeting in over a decade, actually. I’m trying to think back to a bigger game, and I’d probably go to the 2008-09 season where we were in a very similar situation, only it was us who were chasing Celtic down, so our game at Ibrox meant even more, because they were the ones in control at that stage of the season. We won that game and went on to win the league title.”

John Hartson

The ex Parkhead strike hero, speaking on GO Radio, made a surprise prediction

“Both teams will want to start fast. Put their stamp on the game, keep the ball and frustrate the opposition. We know that Celtic keep the ball very well. That is part of their game with [Matt] O’Riley and [Reo] Hatate and obviously whether it is (Tomoki) Iwata or if Callum McGregor makes it to start the game. Rangers will have the edge because it is home advantage and there is not one single Celtic fan in there [Ibrox]. Whether that puts an extra bit of pressure on them or if Celtic can just play free and make it an open game. But I do think the way Rangers can get at Celtic is that high press. Keeping a high line and obviously the crowd will be getting behind them. At times Celtic will need to defend very well and break. I think they will look to play on the counter-attack. Cameron Carter-Vickers is key to that but also the widemen in Daizen Maeda and Nicolas Kuhn. They are both rapid. [James] Tavernier and [Borna] Barisic will want to push them back towards their own goal. And we know Kyogo scored in both games this season. The winner at Ibrox and that wonder goal at Celtic Park. This is a game for big players. Top players stand out and normally make the difference. Rangers have got a couple and Celtic have them. It is so difficult to call. The only reason I say Rangers for me are slight favourites is because of the home advantage.”

Kris Boyd

The ex Rangers striker and Sky Sports pundit knows where the opposition dangers is.

“Going into an Old Firm game at home, you’ve got to fancy yourselves, I think under Philippe Clement they have turned it around, they do look a different team altogether, home advantage could be key. But we have seen it before with Celtic, the pace they have got at the top end of the pitch. Kyogo’s movement, Maeda, they are going to have to defend really well. I am looking forward to it.”

Alan Thompson

The former midfielder made a habit of making himself a derby hero and dismissed the no away fan factor.

“It’s eleven v eleven on the pitch. Irrespective of what’s going on around the ground, how many fans they’ve got, how many fans Celtic have got, you’ve just got to be able to cope with the occasion. I think the team that copes with the occasion and copes with getting the ball down and calm and collective possession and things like that, will probably go on and win the game.”

Craig Moore

The former Ibrox defender was speaking on GO Radio and didn’t attempt to play down the magnitude of the game.

“For me (this is) as big an Old Firm game as I’ve seen in a long, long time. I think that if Rangers were to win this match and also win their rescheduled game against Dundee I think Rangers will win the title I think it’s massive. At this stage the momentum, and obviously the short period between now and the end of the season, I think it would be too big [to overturn] if Rangers were to get their noses in front.”

Chris Sutton

The Record Sport columnist and Sky Sports pundit knows a key call awaits over the Hoops captain.

“It’s a case of how fit Callum McGregor is. If he’s been sitting on a bike in a gym for five or six weeks, it’s not quite the same as training so how much work he does this week is key. Brendan Rodgers will have a decision to make and Celtic are a better team with McGregor in it. But if he’s not fit, or even half-fit, then he can’t play. But it’s a big boost for Celtic having Reo Hatate back with him coming through against Livingston, plus Cameron Carter-Vickers too. Celtic have been very good against Rangers in both the games so far this season. Celtic will know this is a different Rangers team, the last manager (Michael Beale) was a bluffer. They have now got a manager in who knows his stuff, he’s galvanised the team and got them believing. They are moving in the right direction. But it’s impossible to call. That’s the beauty of this game. Anything can happen, any scoreline.”

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