Brown: Celtic can 'change the game' with derby win over Rangers

Eight points clear. That is what Celtic can claim on Sunday, and former captain Scott Brown says it would "change the game".

Celtic host Rangers in the east end of Glasgow with a five-point advantage at the top of the table. There will be no visiting supporters in attendance for this league derby.

Brown made his prediction on BBC Scotland's YouTube channel, as reported by BBC Sport. Win, and Celtic stretch the gap to eight. Lose, and Rangers drag themselves right back into the race.

Rangers have every reason to believe. They beat Celtic 3-0 at home last Sunday in the Old Firm League Cup quarter-final. The Old Firm is the name given to this rivalry, Scottish football's most intense fixture.

Rangers manager Derek McInnes got that win with a 3-5-2 shape, three central defenders protected by wing-backs. He also went man-for-man with Celtic's front three, matching them runner for runner across the pitch.

Celtic need a response. Martin O'Neill's side lost 3-1 at home to Ferencvaros on Thursday in their Europa League opening match, Europe's second-tier club competition. Two defeats in a week would sting. A derby win would wash one of them away.

There are selection questions on Celtic's left flank. Yang Hyun-jun is away with South Korea at the Asian Games. Sebastian Tounekti and James Forrest have both been used there recently.

Brown knows this fixture cold. He also spoke recently about the importance of a fast start in the derby, setting the tone before the crowd has time to grow anxious.

What makes this stand out is the speed of the rematch. Seven days after a 3-0 cup defeat, Celtic get Rangers at home with the league lead on the line. The noise will be one-sided. The pressure will be shared.

For fans, this means ninety minutes that will shape the mood for weeks. Celtic can pull clear. Rangers can close the gap to two points. The ball has not been kicked, and everything is still to play for.