Kevin Thompson is confident that Graeme Murty’s warriors can pull off a derby day shock on Sunday.
The midfielder made the breakthrough at Hibs alongside Scott Brown but while his old team-mate heads towards his sixth title medal Thompson is trying to make a name for himself as a pundit.
A decade ago with Walter Smith parking the bus Rangers (IL) pulled off a surprise win over a Celtic side just back from an extra-time defeat to AC Milan in the last 16 of the Champions League.
It seems that home wins over St Johnstone and Hamilton have restored the feel good factor around Ibrox with Thompson confident of an a repeat of that unlikely 2007 success.
“The situation back then was not too dissimilar to now with a manager leaving and Rangers miles behind Celtic, who had the title wrapped up,” he told The Sun.
“I had just signed and was joining a team in transition, a team that needed to be rebuilt. I knew what I was getting into but there was still a confidence we would bridge the gap.
“Although Rangers are well behind Celtic just now they need to think they can eventually close the gap.
“The gap is currently 33 points but a win in an Old Firm game can go a long way to building confidence, getting the fans on side and getting the ball rolling.”
It’s still unclear who will be in charge of Sevco on Sunday with some claims that Pedro Caixinha will be jetting in over the next 48 hours.
Murty is continuing to prepare the team for what he described as a daunting task with former Birmingham boss Gary Rowett still hanging around on the sidelines.
Despite his obvious pitch for the job with Sky Sports, Alex McLeish is almost certain to be watching the match on television.
