Celtic: John Guidetti's Rangers prediction 'unwise' - MacLeod

John Guidetti has targetted a Scottish League Cup semi-final hat-trick

Former Celtic midfielder Murdo MacLeod does not think John Guidetti was wise to publicly target a Scottish League Cup hat-trick against Rangers.

The two Glasgow sides will renew their rivalry in the 1 February semi-final.

"I think he should just concentrate on getting into the team and scoring goals, never mind targeting Rangers to score a hat-trick," said MacLeod.

"It is a big statement to come out with and if it doesn't happen then it's not the best statement to come away with."

Guidetti has gone six domestic games without a goal after the 22-year-old striker scored 18 in his first 12 outings on loan from Manchester City.

"There have been a million players in the past and will be in the future who would want to score a hat-trick in an Old Firm game," said MacLeod.

It will be the first Old Firm meeting in three and a half years since administration and subsequent liquidation of the former company that ran Rangers resulted in the Ibrox side playing in the fourth tier of Scottish football.

Rangers have fallen behind Hearts in the Scottish Championship title race, while reigning Scottish champions Celtic, despite being inconsistent this season, will return to the top of the Premiership table should they win their games in hand over Aberdeen.

Murdo MacLeod is a veteran of Old Firm games as a Celtic player and coach

But MacLeod, who was Wim Jansen's number two when Celtic won the 1998 title to stop Rangers clinching 10-in-a-row, said: "You would never put any money on these two when they meet because you never know what's going to happen in an Old Firm game.

"It doesn't matter who is the team on form.

"Celtic are in the top league. They have played so well in some games but have been so ordinary in others.

"The players are all taking about winning a treble so this is a big game and they will need to be up for it."

MacLeod, who won five titles as a Celtic player, does not believe defeat at Hampden would prove fatal to Ronny Deila's reign as Celtic manager.

"It would be tough for him," said MacLeod. "But, first and foremost, he's got to go and win the league.

"Celtic don't have a great record in the cups over the last three years and have been knocked out a lot of them by smaller sides.

"Now they are playing Rangers and it's a massive game. But, because Rangers are in the lower leagues, Celtic fans wouldn't accept defeat.

"But I don't think they would be calling for his head. The most important thing is to win the championship."