‘I think they are nervous…if we can hurt them, they will be more nervous,’ says Danny Rohl as Rangers prepare to take on Celtic in Old Firm derby

Danny Rohl has urged his players to turn up the heat on troubled Celtic by making a fast start to the New Year Old Firm showdown.

Rangers will draw level on points with their great rivals if they win at Celtic Park and manager Rohl is acutely aware of the pressure facing his opposite number Wilfried Nancy going into a crucial fixture.

Nancy has lost three of his first five Premiership fixtures in the job with Tuesday’s 2-0 defeat at Motherwell ramping up calls from many Celtic supporters for his dismissal.

Rangers, by contrast, have steadily nudged their way back into title contention under Rohl and the German coach is keen to take advantage of the current anxiety surrounding Celtic.

‘Yeah, I think they’re nervous, what you heard so far,’ said Rohl. ‘But I think it’s about us, how we start in such a game. I totally believe if we are right there and we are on the front foot and we can win some good balls and we hurt them, then they will be more nervous.

‘But if they create some good moments in the beginning, then I think the crowd will be straight behind them. And I think this is a bit more beside the tactics, also the emotional and psychological things, that we have to understand.

Celtic have looked a pale imitation of the side who won the league last season

Rohl wants his side to put pressure on Celtic from the start at Parkhead on Saturday

‘I can say at first it’s just another three points. But this game is never about just three points. There’s an emotional side. It will be a big booster again for where we are at the moment if we win.

‘But on the other side, if you can’t win this game, then the season is still on. We showed this after losing to Hearts two weeks ago, what it means to come straight back with victories. We now need a long run this season. If we do this, then I see at the moment a big, big belief that there’s something for us.’

Rohl and his staff have closely analysed Celtic’s change of shape under Nancy which has seen the Scottish champions fail to keep a clean sheet so far under the Frenchman.

‘I looked at their game against Motherwell who did really well but there was also a crucial moment when Celtic could have made it 1-1 and maybe gone on to take something from the game,’ added Rohl.

‘Football is about those small details, about the momentum during a game. We have to try to put our momentum into the game very soon in this game.

‘Every team, every system has weaknesses. On the one side, it’s important that we give them not too much space and freedom to exploit the game. On the other side, you have to understand in which area you have to defend your box as best as you can.

‘If you find the mix, especially if you play quick and fast in the areas where they have problems, then you’re in a good way.

‘It’s also about how aggressive we are in the duels. I think that will be a crucial thing. And then I want to see a brave team.’