How 8 elite pundits see Celtic vs Rangers shaking out as Simon Jordan predicts a procession and grim Ibrox reality aired

It's the one fixture on the planet where bombastic adjectives can, almost, underplay the magnitude of what's at stake when Celtic and Rangers lock horns.

The Glasgow giants will meet for the 20th time in a Scottish Cup Final with the stage set for the first Old Firm showpiece for 22 years. Remarkably, it's seven wins apiece for both sides and five draws. But parity isn't a feeling Rangers backers are experiencing right now. Celtic are primed to join their eternal foes on an equal footing in the all-time trophy count as the riches of a dominant era are there for all to see.

It's 12 titles in 13 seasons and Brendan Rodgers and Co are itching to leave Philippe Clement and his Rangers side seeking answers once more but can the Ibrox side flip the script? The stakes are mammoth and the big names have weighed. Record Sport takes the temperature of the A-listers ahead of Saturday's Final.

Lee McCulloch

The former Rangers star is unbowed and he believes there is a path to victory. The stalwart of the Walter Smith era made his case for the boys in light blue. He said: "Anything can happen in a cup final, it’s a one-off hit. I think Celtic have been dominant in this year’s Old Firm games, but if I was in the (Rangers) dressing room I’d be thinking this is the perfect way to change that. I think that’s what the mindset should be. Celtic will be favourites because of the form. But Rangers just need to forget about that and get on with it.

‘If you are back to basics, working harder than the opposition, running further, winning your tackles, your individual duels, then you should have a chance against anybody. Rangers still have a lot of very good players, match winners, in their team and I think it would be foolish to write them off."

Simon Jordan

The outspoken former Crystal Palace owner has aired his concerns about Brendan Rodgers multiple times, however, he is utterly certain Celtic will reign supreme. Speaking to talkSPORT, he said: "You would expect so, if this is a show stopping Final, I would be in favour of it, if it's a show stopping one of Rod Stewart's concerts...

"I would expect Celtic to win this game. Rangers can get some redemption but is nothing to indicate in their form against Celtic they are going to do so. But it is a one off Cup Final and, maybe, just maybe, The Lord Mayor's show has passed with winning the title, and it is indeed a Lord's Mayor. And the Cup doesn't have the same resonance, but it must because it's an Old Firm. I will be backing Celtic."

Neil Lennon

Lennon reckons all the questions are on Clement to answer, he said: "It's massive for him, they don't want to finish the season on another defeat to Celtic. The odds are against him, he's going to have to find a way to stop Celtic's quick starts. Celtic's midfield has been exceptional. I'm not sure Rangers have that quality of player. Clement needs to work out a gameplan to restrict that."

Kenny Miller

The Sunday Mail columnist wants Rangers to worry about winning and not about how to shackle the team who have had their number in recent years. He said: "It's the million dollar question and I am glad I don't need to make the gameplan to stop Celtic. McGregor, Hatate, O'Riley, it has been the difference. Particularly in the last one. That's the thing for Rangers, it's my concern, is they are always looking for how to stop Celtic rather than how to impose your game onto them. Unfortunately, that's where Rangers are at this moment in time. They might need to make the game a bit ugly, they might need to try and stop Celtic and disrupt the game to find a way to win. Because it's not something they've managed to do over the course of this season."

Paul Lambert

The Celtic hero is cautiously optimistic Celtic will lift the Scottish Cup. Speaking to BBC, he said: “I think Celtic go in favourites. The only thing that will give it an even-balance is the game being at Hampden and you’ve got the 50/50 split in the support. I still think Celtic are playing really well at the minute. The momentum is with them but in a cup final, especially with it being a derby game, anything can happen. Hopefully, hopefully, Celtic can get the win.”

Arthur Numan

The legendary Rangers left-back knows all about toasting a title before Hampden but reckons Rodgers and Co will be primed and ready. He said: “I’m sure Celtic have been celebrating winning the league – probably two days and now they need to focus on the Cup Final. I remember in 2003, we won the league against Dunfermline on goal difference. We were partying on Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday. The Cup Final against Dundee was one of the worst games we played. I went off with cramp, which was probably because of the amount of alcohol still in my body!”

Johan Mjallby

The former Celtic stalwart reckons Rangers must be flawless to leave Celtic singing the blues at Hampden. He said: "I would put the pressure as 50-50. I would say Rangers have got a lot more to think about. They need to play a perfect game tactically. Celtic are going in with the momentum and just with the way they’ve been playing lately... They know how to get results with the way they play. It’s more up to Rangers to change something to be able to win the game.

They probably need to use their brains and their tactical nous a bit more to win the game. I see Celtic as favourites because of the current form but it’s such a big game, the atmosphere is going to be brilliant. It’s obviously the two best sides in the country going up against each other again. The pressure is always there as a football player. They're the best ones who can deal with the pressure.”

Terry Butcher

The Rangers iron man from a trophy-laden era is giving short shrift to any notion this game has reduced meaning for Rangers after missing out on the title. He said: "It’s still as important as a Treble. That’s what it feels like. Every Old Firm game is bigger than the last one. It just continues all the time and this one even more so because it’s a chance for Rangers to win silverware and stop Celtic. It doesn’t matter the situation, you want to beat Celtic and they want to beat Rangers. No matter what’s happened in the league, that’s all that matters – winning. It's a win at all costs.”