Police admit Gerrard's revival of Rangers makes Old Firm more difficult

The Glasgow derby is always a tense affair given the bitter rivalry between the city's two biggest clubs, Celtic and Rangers.

The first match between the two sides of the season will take place on Sunday, with Rangers going in to the game in excellent form since former Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard became their manager in June.

While the old cliché dictates that form goes out of the window in derby matches, it does not seem that Scottish police officers can ignore the resurgence that the Blue side of the city has experienced in recent weeks.

"Obviously, we look at how the teams are playing, what's been happening on and off the pitch so we can learn from these events and apply them to our planning and preparation." Superintendent Simon Jeacocke, the police officer in charge of the game's security, told the 'BBC'.

Rangers have undoubtedly had the better start to the season in domestic and European terms, winning all their qualifying rounds while their rivals dropped down from Champions League to Europa League qualification, but the home side will have a point to prove in front of the crowd at Celtic Park.