CHARLIE NICHOLAS is confident Celtic will have too much quality for Rangers this weekend - even though their team has gone backwards in recent years.

Ronny Deila's side are huge favourites to book a place in the League Cup final when they square up to their Old Firm rivals on Sunday.

While the Hoops are in pole position in the Premiership and also competing in the Scottish Cup and Europa League, Rangers are off the pace in the Championship and aren't expected to land any domestic silverware this term.

Plenty has changed on and off the field at Parkhead and Ibrox since the clubs last met three seasons ago.

But former Hoops striker Nicholas reckons there should be no problems for Celtic if they can handle the Hampden battle.

He said: "The pressure is on both. Rangers are trying to get back to higher heights and where they should be in Scottish football.

"They are a league below Celtic, their quality is a lot less than Celtic's, but while their financial muscle has moved on, the team has not moved on. Celtic's team has actually went back the way in the last few years for me.

"Rangers rely so much on Lee McCulloch, who is 36 and lacks pace at the back.

"He has been great for Rangers but Celtic have all the muscle and the better quality so Celtic should go and win the match. But the pressure is on both.

"Rangers fans will be there demanding they put up a real good fight.

"This will not be a football classic, they weren't even four years ago. But, what it will be is intense.

"There will be a lot of drama and I would be amazed if there were no red cards. But it is not a footballing spectacle."