A CLUB in turmoil, fans revolting against the board, and their Old Firm rivals lording it over them.

Mark Hateley observes the state of disarray at Ibrox and remembers when the boot was on the other foot. Hateley was a part of the Rangers side that dominated Celtic during the early 1990s on their way to winning nine-in-a-row. The gulf between the pair was not as sizeable as it is now but there was little doubt as to who was the prevailing force in the city at the time. Rangers, managed by first Graeme Souness and then Walter Smith, and bankrolled by David Murray's exorbitant largesse, were a team replete with internationals at the peak of their powers. Celtic, in contrast, were in something of a rut as they entered what would become the final years of the Kelly and White family dynasty prior to the arrival of Fergus McCann, with their fans increasingly frustrated with the "biscuit tin" mentality prevalent when it came to strengthening the squad.

Celtic would finish no better than third in the seven seasons that followed their centenary double in 1988, with a fifth-placed finish in 1990 the nadir. Little wonder those across the city would look forward to the derby encounters with some relish.

"I always fancied these games," admitted Hateley. "I could have played every other day in an Old Firm game. It was a great thing to play in."

Two decades on, however, and the tables have turned. Celtic are now the superior force, financially prudent, regular Champions League participants and dominant domestically. Rangers, on the back of the snowball that started rolling down the hill under Murray and grew larger and larger, are the ones looking to emerge from a dark place as they try to climb the divisions burdened by a seemingly never-ending boardroom struggle. Their manager on gardening leave, his replacement also working his notice, few have given them a chance of winning in Sunday's League Cup semi-final.

Hateley, as befits his role as a former Rangers player and a club ambassador, seeks solace from whatever source he can find ahead of the first meeting of the sides in almost three years. It comes from last weekend's FA Cup results in England when Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool all failed to triumph over weaker opposition. Celtic will be overwhelming favourites to reach the final but Hateley is not entirely without hope.

"You wouldn't rule anything out if you look at what happened down in England this weekend," he said. "It is fair to say that I don't think there has ever been such a big gap between the clubs in terms of standard of the playing squad. That's clear to see. But as we saw in the FA Cup, it doesn't always work that way. There is always a chance.

"Celtic are definitely the stronger footballing unit and probably one of the biggest favourites in a long time. But cup games are all about discipline, desire and approach. If you have that in abundance, then you always have a chance.

"We saw that with Bradford City. They are nowhere near Chelsea's standard but all their application went well on the day. Everyone did their job and were disciplined. A couple of the Chelsea players had off days, and we saw the same at Manchester City.

"The Celtic fans will be looking forward to this one while the Rangers fans will be a little bit apprehensive. That's just the way it is - the shoe is on the other foot from the 1990s."

The Ibrox side, engulfed by internal turmoil, financially destitute, their very existence again on the line, could do with any kind of lift. Beating Celtic would serve as an immediate and powerful panacea.

"It would be an incredible achievement for Rangers to win at the weekend," added Hateley. "There is a bit of a dark cloud over the club at the moment. The fans have not had a lot to sing about at Ibrox this season and this would be a bright light of a campaign that has not gone as many expected it should have.

"Rangers have to compete. They have to roll up their sleeves. The underdog has to be competitive. You have to be high tempo and get [Celtic] defenders running towards their own goal. You have to do all the little things very well. It's as simple as that, but it hasn't been simple to get those performances out of the players this season. It's all about desire and discipline when you face a good side and Celtic are a better side than Rangers. At the weekend, it will take a collective; five, six, seven, eight or nine great performances. If you are looking at Celtic, you need them to be below par."

Caretaker manager Kenny McDowall is working his notice period having handed in his resignation but Hateley doesn't think that will be a factor.

"He's handed in his notice but he's going to serve it and keep working with the players. He knows their strengths and weaknesses. They are professional people. I don't see any problem [with Kenny being in charge]. The players know what they are doing. Some are longer in the tooth than most so they've got that experience and know what they need to do."

- Hateley was helping promote online betting company 666BET.com's special odds for Sunday's match.