SCOTLAND: Rangers v Celtic: RANGERS AND Celtic lock horns in the second Old Firm derby of the season as the race for the Scottish Premier League title hots up.
Celtic go into the game with a four-point lead over their fierce rivals at the top of the table and a win for Gordon Strachan's men at Ibrox would put them in pole position to retain their title.
The visitors will also be aiming for revenge as they are still smarting from their 4-2 defeat to Rangers in the opening Old Firm clash of the season.
Rangers are in buoyant form as they are unbeaten at Ibrox this season and have dropped only two points on their turf this term.
Madjid Bougherra is Walter Smith's only concern as the defender struggles to shake off a thigh injury which has sidelined for the last two games.
If Bougherra misses out again, Kirk Broadfoot is likely to continue in central defence alongside David Weir.
Kenny Miller is expected to be fit to face his former club despite struggling with a minor knock.
Maurice Edu and Chris Burke are back in the squad after recovering from injury and illness respectively.
Celtic are sweating on the fitness of skipper Stephen McManus ahead of the trip across Glasgow.
McManus missed last weekend's win over Falkirk with a knee injury and Strachan will give his skipper until the last minute to prove his fitness.
If the Scottish international is ruled out, Glenn Loovens is expected to partner Gary Caldwell in central defence.
Paul Hartley should return to the squad after missing last weekend's fixture at Falkirk through illness.
Republic of Ireland international Aiden McGeady is missing after being suspended by the club following his bust-up with Strachan.
Spanish midfielder Marc Crosas has declared himself fit to return to action after recovering from a hamstring problem which has sidelined him since October. Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink is back in light training, but the game is likely to come too soon for the Dutchman.
Strachan played down his indifferent record at Ibrox as he looks for only his second Old Firm win in Govan at the seventh attempt.
The Hoops boss has won the Premier league title in three consecutive seasons since taking over from Martin O'Neill.
However, his only win at the home of his great rivals came in February 2006 when a Maciej Zurawski goal after 12 minutes gave the visitors all three points.
Celtic have lost in their last three matches at Rangers without scoring a goal, but Strachan is happy enough with his side's performances on their travels to Govan - if not with the results.
"Sometimes we have played very well at Ibrox," he said. "We got a draw there a couple of years ago when Paul Le Guen was the manager, and Rangers scored with a deflected shot in the last minute.
"We won when Roy Keane played and Maciej Zurawski scored the winner. It was a very experienced side that game.
"The midfield then was (Neil) Lennon, (Stiliyan) Petrov and Keane - how good was that experience and professionalism? It is completely different now."
Strachan is not convinced the outcome of these matches always has a major impact on the title.
"People do treat this game as a 'one-off' - and let it continue to be like that. That's what makes it so special," said Strachan.
"But it has been shown over the years that the Old Firm game, with regards to the league, has not been huge. Other results, surprise defeats have been costly - but they all count.
"Ibrox is a place where you should enjoy going to play, because there is a fantastic atmosphere - and as a footballer, it's fun to go and play in places like that."
But Rangers manager Smith accepts the game could play a major part in the title race. "It's an important game, because we have a situation of falling four points behind Celtic," he said.
"When you are reaching the halfway stage of the season, you want to be as close as you can be.
"Celtic's consistency has made it difficult for us to do that. But we have an opportunity playing at home to try to redress the balance a little bit - and we hope we can."
