Brian Laudrup senses Celtic and Rangers 'needle shift' as he makes Ange Postecoglou confession

The Ibrox icon senses a weekend of sliding doors could be of benefit to his former team ahead of a vital run of fixtures.

Rangers icon Brian Laudrup believes his old team are the benefactors of what could prove to be a defining weekend in Premiership title race.

Celtic skipper Callum McGregor was left in a crumpled heap with a facial injury against Alloa and faces a spell on the sidelines and Yosuke Idegichi is nursing an ankle knock.

But there was better news in the blue half in Glasgow as Nigeria's exit from the Africa Cup of Nations means Joe Aribo is back for the trip to Parkhead.

And the 52-year-old senses those moments, coupled with the extensive injury list and international call-ups, could prove tough for Celtic to overcome in the race for the league.

Speaking in his Daily Mail column, Laudrup said: "Nigeria's surprise loss came barely 24 hours after Celtic captain Callum McGregor suffered a fractured cheekbone in their Scottish Cup tie at Alloa, with Yosuke Ideguchi another casualty. The midfield battleground has been altered.

"Does that mean the needle is shifting in favour of Rangers? If you asked the two managers, I'm sure both would disagree. But looking from the outside, I would certainly prefer to be in Van Bronckhorst's shoes.

"As it stands with two vital rounds of games to come before the derby all the pressure is on Celtic. They're playing at home on February 2. They're four points behind. Winning would mean everything to their hopes of finishing top in May, but a loss would be immensely damaging.

"Also, for Ange Postecoglou personally, suffering defeat in two successive Old Firm games wouldn't be nice. Criticism would follow. That's simply management in Glasgow."

Laudrup admits Celtic won't be at their best when the two teams meet next Wednesday, however, he knows all about unlikely heroes emerging in Scottish football's marquee fixture.

But he believes the return of Rangers playmaker Aribo could be too much for the Postecoglou and Co to handle.

He added: "For Celtic, the problems are clear. Kyogo Furuhashi seems to be a major doubt for February 2, Tom Rogic is going away with Australia and Daizen Maeda has been called up by Japan. Now, McGregor is going to be missing.

"We're not talking fringe players here, but guys with a top-class profile. McGregor's importance in the middle of the park is huge. There is an argument to say he and Furuhashi are the most vital cogs in Postecoglou's team. Rogic has also been in great form.

"It's going to be extremely interesting to see what way Postecoglou chooses to go in the games against Hearts and Dundee United that precede the visit from Rangers. I think it's inevitable they will have to tweak their approach to some extent.

"In saying all that, I know very well from personal experience that it's about much more than just names on the team sheet when it comes to these crucial encounters.

"In my time at Rangers, we had Andy Dibble in goal for an Old Firm match. Erik Bo Andersen came off the bench to score twice in another. Unlikely heroes can and do arise.

"We'll find out a week tomorrow if there will be another. For now, though, I think it's safe to say Rangers fans enjoyed last weekend much more than their counterparts at Celtic.

"Availability of Aribo is an immense boost to Rangers' chances."