Michael Beale spots Celtic advantage over Rangers as he reveals major reason why with title on the line

Beale started the season in the Ibrox dugout but left the hot seat with the Hoops holding a seven-point advantage at the summit.

Former Rangers boss Michael Beale has confessed Celtic have the advantage going into the next derby showdown with the title hanging in the balance.

The Londoner started the season in the Ibrox hot seat but after a big money summer recruitment drive the wheels came off this season and he was sacked after a 3-1 home defeat to Aberdeen - a third defeat in seven Premiership fixtures that left the Light Blues seven points behind the leaders Celtic. Since then, Philippe Clement has turned Rangers' season around with the club trailing Brendan Rodgers' men by just a point while holding a game in hand.

But following last weekend's derby 3-3 thriller, Beale reckons that the Hoops are favourite to win the next derby clash at Celtic Park - which is likely to prove decisive in the title race. The former QPR and Sunderland boss was making an appearance on Sky Sports when quizzed on the upcoming Old Firm blockbuster.

He said: "Well, you would say it would give the home team the advantage because there’s no away fans and that puts pressure on the refs. I have been worked 18-19 Old Firm games and it’s only ever been 700 or nothing so the reality is the referee is under a lot of pressure.

“I’ve lived that in Brazil in the derbies as well. So next year, obviously with the fans going back in it’s great. I think it’s too hard to tell. I felt Rangers were a little bit emotional at the weekend with the ball first half because they had the fans behind them in such a big game and it helped Celtic look a little bit more composed.

“But let’s hope that they both bring the business to that game because I think it’d be a fantastic watch for everybody. It’s a huge derby and obviously there’s so much riding on it."