Soccer: Rangers manager Walter Smith has backed El-Hadji Diouf to keep his cool as he prepares to return to the scene of one of his former flashpoints.

Diouf famously spat on a Celtic fan while playing for Liverpool during a Uefa Cup tie at Parkhead in 2003, which saw him fined £5000 by Glasgow Sheriff Court.

He has already had a taste of the Old Firm derby since his loan move from Blackburn and claims he was taunted by Scott Brown throughout the Scottish Cup tie at Ibrox, with the Celtic captain booked for celebrating in his opponent's face.

Diouf can now expect to receive a hostile reception when Rangers travel to the east end of Glasgow for Sunday's Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash but Smith has no fears about the player's ability to cope with the occasion.

"I don't think it will be a problem for him," he said. "He has shown in the games he has had here already that he has handled himself very well and I don't see any reason why it should be any different this weekend."

Rangers head into the weekend action on the back of a tough Europa League tie against Sporting Lisbon, which saw them held to a last-gasp draw by the Portuguese at Ibrox on Thursday night.

"That happens," said Smith. "We've had Champions League games this season and had to put up with that. Celtic have the advantage of not having any European matches, if it is an advantage not to have those games.

"It certainly allows them a freshness that maybe we will be lacking but our own group have shown a determination and will to win and I hope that will counteract any tiredness that we may feel."

Nikica Jelavic - who netted a hat-trick against Motherwell last week - will at least be fresh for the Scottish champions on Sunday as he is ineligible for European outings.

"It's not something we would want but it means that we've got a player who has been doing well for us," added Smith. "He is starting to show signs of full fitness now and hopefully that will be one of the advantages we can have."

Celtic head into the match on a decent run of form and Smith acknowledged the efforts of his opposite number Neil Lennon.

"I'm not surprised. Celtic have settled down a little bit. They have changed their squad and got rid of a few players. There has been a big turnaround and there is a freshness in their group at the moment that's easily achieved in a first year group.

"I had that myself two or three years ago and after three or four seasons it starts to wear off a little bit. One of the things we have to counteract as much as anything is the freshness they have this season.

"Neil has done a good job with them but we have shown a pride and determination to make sure we do well in trying to retain the championship. The two Old Firm league games we have left will be important factors in terms of who does win the championship this season."

However, Smith sees no reason to be casting any envious glances across the city despite having to work with a more compact squad than their rivals.

"I don't think you could say I'm envious," he said. "Everybody knows we could be doing with a few more players ourselves but it's not stopped us so far and hopefully it won't in the remaining games of the season."