GRAEME SOUNESS has admitted he was surprised to see Rangers fall to a heavy defeat against Celtic.

The Ibrox hero revealed he "fancied" Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side to achieve a positive result at Celtic Park on Saturday.

But by half-time, Souness' former club were three goals down with an eventual scoreline of 4-0 to see Celtic race five points clear in the league.

For Souness, the result was another case of Rangers being "walloped" again by Celtic as he branded the scenario as "sad" for his former club.

Souness - speaking on talkSPORT - also highlighted his experience from high-pressure derby matches as he insisted the last thing players would be told before the match would be to start correctly.

Souness explained: “I’m slightly surprised. I fancied them. They’ve had some fabulous results away from home, albeit in European football.

"But more importantly the manager has played in that game and knows how difficult it is to play in those games.

“The last thing you would hear from a manager and staff as a player going out the door - not just in the Old Firm but up and down the country - is ‘make sure you start right’.

"And if ever there’s a game you have to start right it’s Rangers going to Parkhead. They come after you and are down your throat from minute one.

“You have to stand up to that and deal with it and hopefully get through it.

"They went there last season and were 3-0 down in no time and got walloped again.

"It’s sad for Rangers.”