Former Rangers manager Graeme Souness has reflected on the significance of a recent Old Firm victory at Ibrox, suggesting it could mark a turning point for current manager Derek McInnes and his team. Nearly four decades after Souness’s own landmark win over Celtic, he believes a similar result might provide the momentum needed to revive Rangers' season.

Souness, who managed Rangers from 1986 to 1991, recalled his early days at the club when a win against Celtic helped transform a challenging start into a campaign that ended with silverware. His first major Old Firm derby, played on a rainy Sunday in Govan in August 1986, followed two defeats in the initial three league games. Ian Durrant’s decisive goal secured the victory and proved a catalyst for Rangers’ success that season.

“This fixture dictates the feeling going forward to the next Old Firm league game,” Souness said. “The pressure eases slightly until then, but for the fans, the result is hugely important.” He emphasized the "feelgood factor" a win brings to Ibrox and noted that Rangers must overcome injuries and outperform Celtic to claim the three points. “Derek McInnes would have wanted a better start and to still be competing in Europe,” Souness said.

Rangers’ slow start to the season, combined with recent elimination from European competition, has added urgency to the match. A win would move McInnes just two victories away from securing his first trophy as manager. Souness pointed out the value of such a triumph, describing the League Cup as a significant achievement that can serve as a foundation for future success. Historically, winning that trophy also offered early European qualification, though that is not as relevant for some Scottish clubs now.

The Old Firm rivalry naturally brings heightened scrutiny, and McInnes has faced criticism for Rangers' initial form. Souness acknowledged the pressure managers face in such demanding roles, recounting his own conversations with Philippe Clement about the intense expectations tied to managing a top club. “If things go well, it can be the best job you’ll ever have. If not, it might be the worst,” he said. “Managers at big clubs often have only a handful of games before facing real pressure.”

Souness concluded that this fixture, coming early in the season and with back-to-back Old Firm matches, remains “the biggest game of the season… until the following week.” He believes a victory now would not only boost Rangers’ confidence but also signal that they remain a force in the ongoing title race.