Rangers aims to go top against injury-hit Celtic

Rangers hosts Celtic in the biggest "Auld Firm" confrontation of the season on Saturday knowing that a seventh league victory in a row will lead it past its traditional rival in the Scottish title race and secure a two-point lead.

Defending champion Celtic is only a point ahead going into the game at Rangers' Ibrox Park and is without key players because of injury and suspension.

Captain Stephen McManus was ruled out on Friday when it was discovered he needs an operation on a knee injury while Scott Brown, who has been in top form for the Hoops, is suspended.

Defender Darren O'Dea is doubtful but Celtic manager Gordon Strachan may rush Barry Robson into the midfield after he returned to training this week for the first time since February.

Rangers are favorites because of their current form, but manager Walter Smith notes that Strachan's team can be dangerous even when it has several players missing.

"Celtic have won the championship for the last three years and they've not had all their players available to them all that time," Smith said. "They have managed to cover for the loss of players through suspension, injury or whatever and still gone on to win a championship."

Games between Rangers and Celtic are filled with tension and emotion on and off the field because the two teams have dominated the Scottish title race for decades apart from when Dundee United and Alex Ferguson's Aberdeen broke their monopoly in the 1980s. The two teams have won 90 of the 108 league titles.

"This one has added importance due to the situation in the league and how close it is," said Rangers defender David Weir, who turns 39 on Sunday. "But I don't think you can ever go into an Old Firm game and not be aware of how important it is to so many people."

A Rangers victory will turn the title race around but Weir warned that there were still more games to go.

"Both teams would agree that they've got three tough games after it and, the way the season has been, there have been points dropped against other teams," Weir said. "I'm sure Celtic would agree that the team that wins the game, regardless if it's them or us, I don't think there is anything guaranteed after that."