Rangers vs Celtic: A Scottish Cup tie at Ibrox could provide momentum to the Premier League

FORMER Rangers winger Peter Loncrannds has his share of Old Firm memories, and a pair of Scottish Cup winners’ medals to go with his title success with the club.

He believes that this season, with confidence and belief likely to play a role in the title race, success in one competition could influence the other.

“Things can go in two different directions this way, but I think the situation in the entire league is exciting and incredible,” Loncrands said. “Whoever wins this award will probably have more confidence to keep going and move forward.

“I think that has a big factor in what will happen.

“You can turn it around and say, ‘Is this going to take a little bit of confidence because you’re probably going to beat your biggest competitor to go out and get a trophy? So, you’ll probably get a trophy, will you put a little emphasis on that as well?”

“That takes a lot of your focus, as the other team can then pack that away because they can no longer do anything about it and then focus on the league.”

Lovenkrands believes Premier League leaders Hearts have the upper hand but sees plenty of ups and downs coming, with his old club having positives in their favour.

The Dane added: “Other teams can take points off each other when the split happens, and even before the split, as you know, Motherwell play Celtic and they also play Hearts away from home, I think they will have a big factor in what happens.”

“For Rangers, it’s a positive, for Rangers, it’s good that they can take points from others.

“So, I think it will swing, it will come close, it will go all over the place but I think Hearts is definitely the favorite right now.”