Mark Hateley shock at Rangers reeling Celtic in so quickly as he names 4 reasons to believe in derby win

Mark Hateley insists Rangers are catching rivals Celtic at the perfect time as they look to make it eight wins on the spin after a week of rest and reckons a victory will set them up nicely for a league-defining month of January to kick off the new year.

Philippe Clement’s men head to Parkhead for Saturday’s mammoth Old Firm derby full of confidence with Europa League knockout football secured and the first domestic trophy of the season sitting in the Ibrox cabinet. It’s a complete turnaround from the mood at the Light Blues when the fierce rivals last met and Kyogo’s only goal in Govan left the home fans howling boos towards Michael Beale and the Rangers players.

That was at the start of September and Beale was axed at the end of that month with his side trailing last season’s Treble winners by seven points. Clement has transformed the club while Brendan Rodgers has seen his side stutter, dropping TEN points in the Scottish Premiership since the Belgian arrived across the city.

Celtic still boast a five point lead ahead of the lunchtime clash but Rangers have two games in hand after Wednesday’s home game against Ross County was postponed due to travel issues for the Staggies caused by Storm Gerit. And Hateley - who won 11 major trophies over two spells at Ibrox - told NewBettingSites.uk: “Now is the best time of the season to play Celtic. Rangers are coming off the back of three games, conceding no goals, and winning all three – including winning a league cup off the back of qualifying for the Europa League last 16.

“The fortune of Ross County being cancelled, and giving players a rest over this festive period, is a big advantage for us. Philippe Clement may be frustrated that Rangers weren’t able to play but on the