Kris Commons believes Rangers have an advantage ahead of Saturday's first Old Firm derby of the season - as Celtic won't have their fans to act as their 12th man.

The game will be played at Parkhead, behind closed doors, and Commons reckons that could favour Gers as they will not have 60,000 supporters on their backs throughout the 90 minutes as would usually be the case. The former Hoops midfielder claims he himself thrived on the atmosphere of the big games. But the players now will have to contend without.

Writing in his Daily Mail column, Commons wrote: "There's no doubt in my mind that this new scenario does favour Rangers. Home advantage is so much to do with the hostile atmosphere that the Celtic fans create. That's one less thing for Steven Gerrard's players to contend with.

"Similarly, the fact those Celtic fans won't be cheering every throw-in or corner their side wins won't do Neil Lennon's players any favours. As a player, I thrived on getting our fans out of their seats.

"Although I do believe that the closed-doors environment is something of a leveller here, the best football side should still emerge with the three points.

"That's what Neil Lennon will be saying to his players. They are champions for a reason, they are on a good run without playing exceptionally well and if they perform to their capability, they should come out on top."