Rangers defender David Bates praises Celtic striker Moussa Dembele

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Graeme Murty’s Glasgow Rangers will take on Brendan Rodgers’s Celtic at Ibrox in the Old Firm derby.

Rangers defender David Bates has spoken highly of Celtic striker Moussa Dembele to The Telegraph ahead of the Old Firm derby at Ibrox this weekend.

Graeme Murty’s Rangers will ace Brendan Rodgers’s Celtic at home in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday afternoon.

Bates is likely to line up at central defence for the Gers, while French striker Dembele is set to lead the line for the Hoops.

Ahead of the match, the 21-year-old former Raith Rovers youngster has praised the 21-year-old striker, who cost Celtic £500,000 when they secured his services from Fulham in the summer of 2016, according to The Scottish Sun.

Bates told The Telegraph about Dembele: “He’s a good player featuring at Celtic every week and you have to treat him with respect.

“He’s strong with good ability but you have to try and put your print on him and do what you’re good at week in, week out.”

Key battle

Bates is still very young and developing, but the performances of the Rangers defender this season have been very impressive.

It will be interesting to see how he copes with Dembele, who is one of the best strikers in the Scottish Premiership and will be determined to bag a goal or two against Rangers at Ibrox in the Old Firm derby this weekend.