Davie Provan believes that Rangers’ Scottish Cup win last season was the catalyst for Celtic to step up a gear.

The Ibrox side beat Ronny Deila’s Celtic at Hampden last April, the defeat effectively bringing about the Norwegian’s departure from the Parkhead side.

“The expectation rose at Rangers, but it was also a reality check for Celtic and the board, who had let it drift,” said Provan.

“They were culpable, I think, in sticking by Ronny Deila too long when the signs were there early on.

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“That result was the wake-up call to the Celtic board that they had to go and show a bit of ambition and they have done that.

“The two clubs have almost gone in, while not quite polar opposite directions, but one has gone up and the other has flatlined.

“Maybe the worst thing he [Mark Warburton] did was winning that semi-final as by accounts that’s what upset Dermot Desmond to the extent that he went out and brought Brendan Rodgers.

“He’s up against a real pedigree on the other side of town and I think Dave King will know in his head now whether he wants to go with this manager or bring in someone else.”

And Provan is well aware that this weekend has the potential to break Mark Warburton who is now under tremendous pressure.

Rangers play Morton on Sunday afternoon and any upset would surely be the straw that breaks the camel’s back.

“With Rangers lack of progress, Warburton would have to put his hands up there and I think you can trace it back to last summer and the players he brought into the club,” said Provan.

“Rangers are the type of club that the manager doesn’t get time and nor should he expect time.

“Fairly or otherwise, Rangers will always be compared to what Celtic are doing vice versa, that’s just the nature of the city.

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“I do think finishing second in the league and earning a place in Europe is more important than a good cup run, I really believe that.

“If he finishes second I think most supporters would have settled more second with European involvement again at the start of the season.

“But the board and the manager don’t seem to be on the same page – the Kenny Miller contract situation and it seems that there might be a tension behind the scenes that we are not all privy to.

“I remember an old Celtic director telling me many years ago that the board don’t sack a manager, the supporters sack the manager. I think if Rangers were to lose at the weekend the supporters would make their feelings pretty clear.”

And despite the massive gulf between Celtic and Rangers on and off the park, Provan believes that Rangers still hold a significant pull.

“There would be a queue around the block for the Rangers job just because of the size and potential of the club,” said Provan.

“Derek McInnes’ name has already been mentioned and that’s maybe a little bit unfair when Mark Warburton is still in the chair, but I don’t think there would be any shortage of people who would want to manage the club.”

*Davie Provan was speaking at a William Hill media event. William Hill are the proud sponsors of the Scottish Cup.