kickin_kyle
Senior Squad
OLD FIRM SHOWDOWN
Preview: Celtic v Rangers
Rangers manager Alex McLeish concedes that Sunday's game at Celtic Park is the "acid test" of his league-topping team's SPL title ambitions.
But McLeish believes he now has the strongest squad he has ever had at Ibrox, giving him greater belief in his side's ability to win this weekend.
Rangers have not won at Celtic Park since season 1999-2000.
But McLeish said: "I'm getting a good feeling about the squad now. We've had good form recently and good results."
The recent return of Barry Ferguson to the club and Fernando Ricksen's decision to extend his stay at the club have galvanised the good feeling at Ibrox.
"Barry has added quality to the team. In terms of this fixture he has been there before and he won't be fazed.
"I'm delighted Fernando signed. He has a phenomenal playing record and hardly misses a game.
"His attitude and commitment - and his discipline this season - have been fantastic."
Are we favourites to win? We're at home so why shouldn't we be?
Nonetheless, neither McLeish nor his striker Dado Prso believe a win is vital.
"A draw would be a good result for us but we know we can`t lose over there," said Prso.
"I don`t know if we can win at Celtic Park but we will do our best."
McLeish was adamant that the destination of the SPL title would not be decided by the outcome of the game and that was a view echoed by his Celtic counterpart Martin O'Neill.
Rangers lead the league on goal difference, with Celtic having played a game fewer.
"I don't think it is the title decider," insisted O'Neill. "It's far too early to call and I would say that even if we won.
"If you look at other leagues, people are saying that if Chelsea slip up there is a possibility of Arsenal and Manchester United ganging up and that's a nine-point gap.
"So as you can imagine there are still 13 games to go and 14 for us so I don't think it is going to decide anything."
Despite Rangers' recent good form, O'Neill is understandably optimistic.
"Are we favourites to win the game? We're at home so why shouldn't we be? Let's go and try to win it," he added.
Stephane Henchoz and Craig Bellamy are in line to feature in their first Old Firm game, but O'Neill will not be giving either player special advice before the game, despite the normally intense atmosphere during such fixtures.
"The game has got a fantastic history and is a very, very passionate affair," he said.
"But Stephane Henchoz and Craig Bellamy have played very big games throughout their careers so it's not worth mentioning.
"I think it would be a bit patronising to say anything to these kind of players when big games come up. Remember Stephane played in a Uefa Cup final a couple of years ago."
-bbc.co.uk
i'm predicting a 2-1 win for Rangers. we've strengthened the sqaud a lot over the transfer window and i think we can take them, even though we're away.
Preview: Celtic v Rangers
Rangers manager Alex McLeish concedes that Sunday's game at Celtic Park is the "acid test" of his league-topping team's SPL title ambitions.
But McLeish believes he now has the strongest squad he has ever had at Ibrox, giving him greater belief in his side's ability to win this weekend.
Rangers have not won at Celtic Park since season 1999-2000.
But McLeish said: "I'm getting a good feeling about the squad now. We've had good form recently and good results."
The recent return of Barry Ferguson to the club and Fernando Ricksen's decision to extend his stay at the club have galvanised the good feeling at Ibrox.
"Barry has added quality to the team. In terms of this fixture he has been there before and he won't be fazed.
"I'm delighted Fernando signed. He has a phenomenal playing record and hardly misses a game.
"His attitude and commitment - and his discipline this season - have been fantastic."
Are we favourites to win? We're at home so why shouldn't we be?
Nonetheless, neither McLeish nor his striker Dado Prso believe a win is vital.
"A draw would be a good result for us but we know we can`t lose over there," said Prso.
"I don`t know if we can win at Celtic Park but we will do our best."
McLeish was adamant that the destination of the SPL title would not be decided by the outcome of the game and that was a view echoed by his Celtic counterpart Martin O'Neill.
Rangers lead the league on goal difference, with Celtic having played a game fewer.
"I don't think it is the title decider," insisted O'Neill. "It's far too early to call and I would say that even if we won.
"If you look at other leagues, people are saying that if Chelsea slip up there is a possibility of Arsenal and Manchester United ganging up and that's a nine-point gap.
"So as you can imagine there are still 13 games to go and 14 for us so I don't think it is going to decide anything."
Despite Rangers' recent good form, O'Neill is understandably optimistic.
"Are we favourites to win the game? We're at home so why shouldn't we be? Let's go and try to win it," he added.
Stephane Henchoz and Craig Bellamy are in line to feature in their first Old Firm game, but O'Neill will not be giving either player special advice before the game, despite the normally intense atmosphere during such fixtures.
"The game has got a fantastic history and is a very, very passionate affair," he said.
"But Stephane Henchoz and Craig Bellamy have played very big games throughout their careers so it's not worth mentioning.
"I think it would be a bit patronising to say anything to these kind of players when big games come up. Remember Stephane played in a Uefa Cup final a couple of years ago."
-bbc.co.uk
i'm predicting a 2-1 win for Rangers. we've strengthened the sqaud a lot over the transfer window and i think we can take them, even though we're away.
