STEVEN NAISMITH believes Rangers' players will be able to relax more in an empty Ibrox.

The Light Blues have started the season in stunning fashion, winning all three of their opening Scottish Premiership matches.

Two of which came at Ibrox, against St Mirren and St Johnstone, and former Gers star Naismith reckons no supporters in the stands could be a positive for Steven Gerrard's side.

Speaking on PLZ Soccer, the Hearts skipper said: "You definitely relax more, that's what I would say.

"But in terms of the pressure, I wouldn't say that's off.

"But it is both sides. Because with the away team that's there, when Rangers are on top or Celtic are on top for that matter and the crowd are behind them, it just seems as if you can't get out your own half.

"But on the flip side, if the game's not going well, I've seen a lot of players at the Old Firm crumble and not really want the ball when things are not going so well.

"But I think overall, with the domestic games especially, it won't make that big a difference to Rangers or Celtic.

"They'll still have a massive advantage when they're playing at home just with the surroundings, the size of the stadium and the size of the pitch."