Celtic have failed to beat Rangers in the New Year fixture for 10 years and, if the bullying is to be ended at Parkhead this afternoon, the hosts will have to bring to their game a hitherto unsuspected ruthlessness.

Doubts over Celtic's challenge were raised once again last weekend when their defeat by St Johnstone allowed Rangers to stretch their advantage from one point to four. Wim Jansen's players are suddenly back in a familiar position: they go into an Old Firm clash burdened with the realisation that avoidance of defeat is imperative.

This season's previous Old Firm matches were in November, with Rangers winning 1-0 at Ibrox and drawing 1-1 at Celtic Park. The champions should have won the first game by more and were palpably unlucky to concede a stoppage-time equaliser at Celtic Park, having led through Marco Negri after Paul Gascoigne was ordered off.

Gascoigne's dismissal brought him a fivematch ban and he has not played since November 29th. Walter Smith, the Rangers manager, arranged a closed-doors match on Monday to help the England midfielder to fitness but claimed yesterday he had yet to

decide whether Gascoigne would start today's match. The supposed dilemma is a smokescreen; Gascoigne will play.

Late decisions will be made on Jonas Thern, Richard Gough, Andy Goram, Gordon Durie and Rino Gattuso, all available again after injury or suspension. Jansen's hand too is strengthened by the return from injury of the defenders Marc Rieper and Alan Stubbs as well as Celtic's leading scorer Henrik Larsson, who was badly missed last week. Stephane Mahe has failed to recover in time.