GRAEME SOUNESS hopes Rangers can ‘do themselves justice’ when they face Celtic in the first Old Firm fixture of the campaign this weekend.

Pedro Caixinha’s side go into the derby clash five points adrift of the champions in the Premiership standings after a mixed start to the campaign.

The Betfred Cup win over Partick Thistle on Tuesday night was a welcome boost for the Portuguese as summer signings Carlos Pena, Daniel Candeias and Eduardo Herrera all found the net at Firhill.

Read more: Rangers to monitor Bruno Alves and Declan John before Celtic fixture​

The meeting with Brendan Rodgers’ side will be the toughest test that the new look Light Blues have faced this term.

And former Ibrox boss Souness hopes the Gers can rise to the occasion and emerge victorious against their Old Firm foes.

Souness told Sky Sports: “People ask me what the biggest derby I have been involved in, and without a shadow of a doubt it is Rangers v Celtic.

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“It is because of what it means to the supporters, the build-up to it, if you are involved in it you feel the tension in the city. And afterwards, the elation if you have won, you feel that from the supporters.

“The passion that you are feeling from the terraces sometimes spills onto the pitch Enjoy them ultimately, they are big games, you can’t play in a bigger game.

“You have got to have, it is rich coming from me because I got sent off in one, a steady head, a thinking head, and love it. It is hard to love it and hard to like it if you are on the receiving end.

“I just hope Rangers do themselves justice this weekend, and win it.

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“I think they have made improvements this year and signed a lot of new players and shown signs that they are coming together.

“But I would always argue that they need a strong Old Firm up there. Simply because, Celtic couldn’t sell their best players if there was a strong Rangers.

“Right now, they can sell their best players knowing they are strong enough to still win that league.”