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Sparks expected in midfield

Scottish Premier League/Old Firm clash: Rangers midfielder Alex Rae played down the potentially explosive encounter with Celtic…

Sat Aug 28 2004 - 01:00

Scottish Premier League/Old Firm clash: Rangers midfielder Alex Rae played down the potentially explosive encounter with Celtic's Neil Lennon in tomorrow's Old Firm clash at Parkhead.

The former Wolves player was brought to Ibrox in the summer to bolster Rangers' fragile midfield and already the veteran has been sent off for his tough approach, earning a five-match ban for kicking Serghei Dadu's head during Rangers' Champions League qualifying first leg match against CSKA Moscow in Russia.

Lennon was involved in a controversial incident last week with Inverness striker Juanjo which saw the Spaniard sent off at Pittodrie.

When the volatile pair go head to head at the weekend, sparks are expected but Rae said: "I think all the talk is coming from outside Ibrox and I've just blanked it. You talk about Neil Lennon but Celtic play with three midfielders so I think it's an all-round thing."

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Rae will make his Old Firm derby debut as Rangers try to make amends for their disappointing Champions League exit to CSKA during the week which earned the Ibrox players and manager Alex McLeish a mountain of criticism.

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill is sweating over the fitness of Chris Sutton ahead of tomorrow's clash. The striker is struggling with a hamstring strain picked up in training and is rated doubtful for the game at Parkhead.

Striker Craig Beattie is expected to be out for several weeks with a groin problem. Stanislav Varga and Jackie McNamara have both trained this week and could feature.

O'Neill admits Juninho is desperate to make his debut tomorrow. The Brazilian put pen to paper on a two-year deal earlier this week and work permit clearance means there is no reason he cannot take part this weekend, but O'Neill is undecided whether to play him.

Rangers are able to welcome Chris Burke back to their squad. The Ibrox winger has not featured since fainting during their Premier league opener at Aberdeen because of a virus. Midfielder Dragan Mladenovic has trained since picking up a knock against CSKA and is expected to be available.