RONNY DEILA’S fate could be sealed if Rangers beat Celtic in this Sunday’s Hampden showdown.

That is the belief of Hoops legend Frank McAvennie who claims it is ‘unthinkable’ that the Norwegian’s team can afford to come off second-best in the Old Firm clash.

The Parkhead club go into Sunday’s match at Hampden as heavy favourites in the eyes of the bookmakers.

McAvennie has not been convinced with Celtic’s recent showings, despite the fact their last Premiership defeat came over two months ago.

However, the 58-year-old reckons that if Deila’s team slip up against Rangers in four days’ time then it could spell trouble for the Celtic manager’s long-term future at the club.

“I think the decision has already been made on that one,” he said.

“The only people are Peter Lawwell [Celtic chief executive] and Dermot [Desmond, majority shareholder]. They are the only two that will decide Ronnie’s future. If it’s not already been decided, if they get beaten by Rangers then it will be decided.”

McAvennie added: “I think he is on a hiding to nothing, to be honest with you.

“I don’t think the team has been playing well. You can see the frustration in his face, you can see the delight when he gets the results.

“I’m not sure about some of the celebrations but you can just see the emotion coming out his face.

“It’s not thinkable that he would let Rangers from a lower division beat them. The supporters won’t allow that.”

McAvennie knows only too well what an Old Firm match can do to a player caught up in the thick of the fixture - back in 1987 the striker was sent off just 14 minutes into his first ever Celtic v Rangers match.

The red card was flashed at him at Ibrox after going in late on Chris Woods, and he was later acquitted in court of "behaviour likely to cause a breach of the peace" while appearing alongside the Rangers goalkeeper plus Terry Butcher and Graham Roberts.

It is understandable then that McAvennie believes several unsuspecting players in both camps ‘won’t know what hit them’.

"Some of the lads at Celtic might not have played in these games but a lot of the boys at Rangers haven't, and it gets to you,” he said. “My first game lasted 14 minutes and I was sent off. You get caught up in it.

"The last thing the manager said to me before my first game was: 'Don't get involved.' So that worked. I got involved with Chris Woods.

"I never thought that would happen to me. I had played in some big games and been there as a supporter.

"Some of these lads will not know what's hit them."

As quick as McAvennie’s red card was, the West Ham hero has concerned his time could be topped this weekend by Colin Kazim-Richards.

While promoting enhanced odds from betting firm comeon!, fears the Turkey international could be a loose cannon in the middle of the Old Firm powder keg.

"I don't think the boy Richards is good enough and he could be trouble. God, he is a live-wire isn't he? He could get sent off at any time,” said McAvennie.

"I've got a great temperament and I got sent off after 14 minutes. He could beat that record.”