Davie Provan insists the Rangers squad cannot be compared to Celtic, as the Ibrox ‘tormentor’ brings X factor on the biggest stage.

Celtic’s wing-wizards have been hailed as game-changers by Davie Provan, who believes the current Rangers crop cannot compete.

The Hoops lead the Premiership by eight points, despite having played one more game than the Light Blues, with new Light Blues boss Philippe Clement leading the chasing pack after a disastrous start to the season under Michael Beale. Rangers’ summer recruitment has been widely criticised, and while Celtic’s has also received criticism, some top stars from Ange Postecoglou’s era remain for Brendan Rodgers to work with.

Reo Hatate, Kyogo, Matt O’Riley, and Cameron Carter-Vickers are just a few of the current Celtic players entertaining Parkhead fans, who have previously enjoyed Jota, Josip Juranovic, and Giorgos Giakoumakis. Former Celtic winger Provan named Liel Abada and Daizen Maeda as two of his favourite players to watch in an interview with the Sunday Post. Both are battling to be fit for the match against Rangers in December, and the 67-year-old sees both as sources of frustration at Ibrox.

“I’m not sure of Liel Abada’s recovery timetable,” he said. But he is really, really good. I like him so much. He is another who is so young and has lots of time on his side. But he still does it in big games. He has tormented Rangers a few times. When I look at the Celtic squad I see some players of high quality. I feel the squad is much stronger than what Rangers have.

“Daizen Maeda is also a real asset on the wings. He can be explosive on the ball at any given moment and must be a headache for full-backs. It’s unfortunate he is injured just now. He will be a sore miss for the team. I’m sure Brendan would love to have him back available for the game against Rangers on December 30. He plays well against Rangers. He scores and he creates.”

In other news, Kenny Miller pinpoints crucial element that gives Celtic a “advantage” over title rivals Rangers