Anyone of analytical mind must conclude that Celtic are well equipped to not only beat Rangers in Saturday's Ibrox showdown, but to do so with several goals to spare.

Just as PSG possessed the weapons to make light work of the Hoops defence in the Champions League last week, so it is that Brendan Rodgers' men are streets ahead of their city rivals as regards squad strength at present.

What can Rangers do about that? Plenty. I've seen countless examples working on television in Germany this season, of teams with less talent devising tactics to neutralise their more illustrious opponents.

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But this is Scotland where Celtic are the benchmark and will remain so for the foreseeable future. It's going to take something special from one of the other teams, including the Ibrox club, to defeat the champions domestically, even over the course of 90 minutes.

Being under the radar is surely what Pedro Caixinha would want in the phoney war phase of this week's activities. Don't make the mistake of indulging in chest beating and promising this, that or the next great thing, in public at least. Accept the role of underdogs and use it to your advantage.

No one should expect Rangers to take anything from Saturday's city derby. By de-emphasising Rangers' claim to victory, Caixinha deftly throws the pressure back to the favourites, Celtic. That is basic psychology, which I'm sure he and his advisors understand. Caixinha's words to the media in the days ahead will be highly enlightening.

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The tactics Caixinha deploys on match day will of course be even more significant. Sitting off Celtic completely is a non-starter, although caution must still be the watchword.

I would expect Rangers to line up in a 4-5-1 formation with key assignments handed to Ryan Jack, Jason Holt and Graham Dorrans on midfield. This trio possesses experience, decent technical ability and tactical acumen. If Celtic overrun you in that area of the pitch, it's over.

Jack, Holt and Dorrans must solve problems in front of a Rangers defence that still has the wobbles as we've observed in both games this past week against Partick Thistle. Bruno Alves, seasoned though he might be, must improve this weekend.

I would want Kenny Miller to start on Saturday on the left hand side of what you might call a compact midfield five. Miller's experience remains invaluable and with Lee Wallace on the casualty list, Caixinha will need that kind of thinking footballer to assist Declan John with defensive duties on that side. Knowledge of what to expect on the big occasion can never be underestimated.

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Alfredo Morelos will have to shoulder much of the attacking burden on his own and hope to bury the one or two opportunities that might come his way. I doubt that task will faze him, based on what I've seen from the Colombian.

Celtic, unlike Rangers, must balance the requirements to get through Saturday, with the needs of Wednesday and the Champions League trip to Brussels to face Anderlecht. I believe this to be the key game in Celtic's first half of the season, not the head to head at Ibrox.

Disagree with that last point if you will, but Celtic are going to win our league again at a canter. Their European progress or otherwise is less certain.

I can't honestly see a way for them to still be a Champions League side when the knockout stages commence in February, not with omnipotent PSG and Bayern to contend with. But booking a Europa League round of 32 place will come down to how they fare against the Belgian champions. It's that simple.

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So what really is more important to the club in terms of making a new statement? Saturday or Wednesday? I think deep down, everyone knows the answer.

It will be first things first for Brendan Rodgers, and that means Rangers, but good managers always have more than half an eye on the bigger picture. The visit to the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium, one way or the other, will figure more prominently in the story of the club's season.

As far as Saturday is concerned, it would be crazy to predict anything other than a pretty decisive Celtic win.