Rangers' ability to match Celtic's intensity ahead of this weekend's derby clash has been questioned by Michael Stewart.

The Light Blues will make the short journey across the city on Saturday lunchtime as the Glasgow giants meet in the latest installment of the derby encounter.

Michael Beale's men will arrive in the east end knowing that anything but a win would spell the end of their slim hopes of lifting the title this season.

Celtic are nine points clear of their arch-rivals, and will certainly be looking to take a step closer to retaining their crown with a victory.

Ange Postecoglou's men have been well clear of Rangers since before Beale arrived in November, so credit should go to the Englishman for drastically improving the Ibrox club's form in recent months.

The one major blip on Beale's managerial record at Rangers so far was the League Cup final loss to Celtic. Kyogo ran riot that day as the Hoops lifted the trophy after a 2-1 victory at Hampden.

Rangers will undoubtedly view this weekend's match as an opportunity to redeem themselves after that day at the end of February.

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However, BBC pundit Stewart reckons Postecoglou's side will just have too much for the Gers.

He told Sportscene: "That goal from Kyogo, the late equaliser, that was where the league was won for me. There was no danger that Celtic were going to drop nine points more than Rangers.

"Rangers are a different beast from the last game at Celtic Park. Michael Beale's come in and steadied the ship, he's making progress with them, but Celtic are the benchmark.

"When you compare the two, the intensity that Celtic play at is the difference.

"Rangers don't have that for me. The one criticism of Michael Beale's team, especially when he first took over, is that they were getting results, but the intensity wasn't there. When you look at the players they've got, I don't think the likes of [Todd] Cantwell or [Malik] Tillman are intense players.

"And when they come up against the likes of Hatate, McGregor, Mooy or whoever, those sorts of players, when you go like-for-like, that's where they get the upper hand.

"Look at the cup final, the first goal came down that side where Tillman was playing. Overloads, players running off the back of him, those fine margins are the difference.

"And I just think Celtic have that margin of a difference over Rangers, particularly at home.

"Will it be a 4-0? I'd be surprised, but I'd be even more surprised if Rangers were coming away with a victory."