Derek McInnes floats Rangers title theory as he pinpoints the Dortmund 'lift' that can see off Celtic

Derek McInnes believes Rangers blockbuster clash with Borussia Dortmund could have a knock-on effect in the Premiership title race.

Gio van Bronckhorst's side travel to Germany for the first leg of the Europa League play-off round on Thursday, with the return fixture at Ibrox the week after.

The double header comes amid a crisis at Dortmund having been dumped out of both the Champions League and German Cup at early stages, while trailing Bayern Munich by nine points at the top of the Bundesliga.

Superstar striker Erling Haaland has been watching from the sideline through injury and could miss the Scottish champions visit to the Westfalenstadion.

McInnes reckons the problems facing the club could see Rangers earn a shock result over the German giants that would inspire a surge ahead of Celtic.

McInnes wrote in his Mail on Sunday column: "Erling Braut Haaland is the most sought-after and talked-about striker in the world. Still only 21, the boy is so talented, powerful and clinical.

"If he is not on the pitch for Thursday's Europa League match, then it can only be a real boost for Rangers. If he plays, Rangers will just need to find a way to deal with him. Easier said than done.

"Dortmund always run with a strong squad. They might lose a lot of key players but they tend to sell at the right time and recruit well.

"They took a lot of criticism after losing to Celtic at Parkhead earlier this month and it was so important that they knuckled down and won the next one.

"The manner in which they achieved that against Hearts showed what they are capable of and they doubled down on that against Hibs in midweek.

"But beating the two Edinburgh teams quite convincingly at home is one thing, going away to face a top Bundesliga