Billy Stark names Celtic derby day favourites as Rangers written off in 'high intensity' Parkhead attack verdict

Billy Stark took just five minutes to make a mark on his Old Firm debut 35 years ago this week. The winner in the first Celtic v Rangers clash of the season set the Hoops up for their Centenary title shindig. And it cemented the big midfielder’s place in the hearts of the Hoops support.

Stark knows a thing or two about sharing goals around a squad, having contributed 13 from midfield that season as Billy McNeill’s side romped to the title by 10 points. But even he’s been blown away by the goalscoring prowess of Ange Postecoglou’s side who have netted 20 times in their last four outings – with 10 different names on the scoresheet.

Kyogo Furuhashi, Giorgos Giakoumakis and Daizen Maeda have done the damage up top while Liel Abada, Jota and James Forrest have chipped in from wide areas. If you throw in strikes from skipper Callum McGregor, central defenders Carl Starfelt and Moritz Jenz and full-back Josip Juranovic, the only part of the team yet to produce in the opposition box is the goalkeepers.

Which is timely given that the first Old Firm derby of the season drops tomorrow. Stark looks at a Celtic side bulging with goal threat. Even after making nine changes to the team that smashed nine past Dundee United, they still bagged four against Ross County on Wednesday in the cup.

On the opposite side he sees a Rangers squad that’s short of options in attack other than Antonio Colak. That’s why, while he would never douse either side’s chances in this fixture, the 65-year-old reckons Celtic are strong favourites to lay down a marker tomorrow. Stark said: “It’s quite amazing how many goals Celtic have scored in recent weeks.

“Even against Ross County they changed almost an entire team and roll them over, scoring four.