John Hartson admits Rangers ARE favourites against Celtic as Brendan Rodgers told the masterplan he must follow

John Hartson has labelled Rangers favourites against Celtic due to their home advantage.

The build-up to the huge derby showdown is on as the clock continues to tick down towards the big kick-off at Ibrox on Sunday. Brendan Rodgers and his troops will arrive in Govan top of the table by one point - having played one game more - with so much at stake for both sides in the race to win the Scottish Premiership title.

Philippe Clement has made a huge impact since his arrival as Michael Beale's successor and has clawed away at the points gap while he's also bagged the League Cup. Both sides will go head to head once more in the league split at Parkhead while they may well battle it out at Hampden in the Scottish Cup Final in the end of season showpiece. But all focus is on the here and now and Hartson reckons home advantage and no Celtic away fans will be key for Rangers as he outlined his views on the massive encounter.

He told Go Radio: "I think 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.

"I think 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