Ross McCrorie has likened his loan club Portsmouth to Rangers and reckons the South Coast derby will be like starring in an Old Firm battle.

Pompey play rivals Southampton in this evening's Carabao Cup at Fratton Park.

McCrorie has only known his Rangers side's rivalry with Celtic having played in a handful of big matches before he was farmed out on loan.

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But he revealed he's already been well caught up by fans in the area on the big match and compared the intensity to Glasgow's big two slugging it out.

Speaking to Sky Sports, McCrorie said: "I'm sure it will be intense, it will be fierce.

"I'm sure the atmosphere will be amazing - when I first came down here, a couple of taxi drivers told me all about it straight away!

"They told me how big it was and all about the history. It's a massive game and I'm really looking forward to it.

"The Old Firm is amazing, one of the best games to ever play in, but this will be right up there as well.

"We can't get carried away and we need to stay level headed.

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"Form goes out the window. It'll be whoever is up for it on the day, we need to win individual battles."

Speaking on home advantage with Portsmouth fans backing his side all the way, McCrorie added: "They are very similar [to Rangers fans] in that they are very demanding.

"We want to get promoted this season and it's the same at Rangers with winning every game. It's what you want.

"The pressure makes you a better player and it shows you how big a club it is."