Match preview: Rangers vs. Celtic

After a busy week, Celtic travel to Ibrox to take part in their biggest game of the season so far. There's no arguing the importance of a Glasgow derby, not just in terms of points at the expense your closest rival, but for the momentum it will give the victorious team going forward against the rest of the SPL. While Rangers' off field problems have been brought to the fore in recent weeks, it has barely effected their playing form and they remain undefeated domestically this season, their only slip being a 1-1 draw with Hearts on the opening day of the season, which also saw their only goal conceded so far. It's a tough test for a Celtic team that battled Atlético Madrid not even twenty-four hours ago. The game in Madrid was what you would call a 'graceful defeat' in that Celtic didn't disgrace themselves in a way the fans have been accustomed to in recent European adventures away from home. Neil Lennon said that Celtic wouldn't have a full training session on either Friday or Saturday, feeling that the team is ready after a decent display against top class opposition.

Rangers have used a light schedule recently to bring their squad close to full fitness with Sasa Papac, Lee McCulloch and Nikica Jelavic all expected to be available for selection. The Rangers team is full of experience and more specifically, experience of playing against Celtic. However, in key areas, Old Firm debuts await. Doran Goian and Carlos Bocanegra will both be under pressure in their central defensive positions and even though they have international experience we know this unique occasion can unsettle even the most unshakable of players. The midfield too may feature fresh blood in Matt McKay and Alejandro Bedoya, neither of whom will have come close to taking part in such a massive football match. The return of Jelavic is a boost to Rangers even if the Croatian hasn't picked up where he left off from last season so far. He will undoubtedly be a threat going forward even if Rangers set up defensively.

It's worth noting that Celtic were undefeated at Ibrox last season, in one game even playing an entire half with ten men. Neil Lennon has a fantastic record in these games so far and had the measure of the way Rangers play by season's end. It will be interesting to see if Ally McCoist opts for similar tactics to Walter Smith by packing the midfield and playing a lone striker or being slightly braver and playing a partnership against a less than convincing Celtic defence, the line-up of which you wouldn't like to bet on at this stage.

One of Celtic's key players in that impressive record against Rangers last season was Scott Brown and the captain looks set to return to action. Lennon made sure he would be fit for the game by keeping him behind in Glasgow to rest his ankle while the rest of the squad flew out to Madrid. Brown, for me, typifies the kind of passion, guts and cocky attitude that every Celtic player needs on occasions like these. He's also a leader in the big games and I'm positive he will be vital to any success we have on Sunday. Ki Sung-Yeung likewise will be a catalyst for any good work we do. The Korean has been in excellent form so far this season and is arguably the best player Celtic have in their possession. If the Celtic midfield turn up to the best of their abilities on Sunday I can't see us not creating the number of chances we will need to win the game.

Of course there's always a chance of 'the unknown' playing a factor in the outcome of these games. All the talking in the world can be done before the game about tactics and team selections but it's really how the players react to real-time situations that produces the result in a Glasgow derby. Keeping a cool head, not reacting to inflammatory situations and being sensible are all as important as laying all the footballing skill you possess down on the pitch. There's always a danger that a fear of this from both teams can cause a stalemate to take place but the early season games tend to see a more relaxed set of players who know the title isn't being dramatically won or lost.

Despite it not being a definitive answer to the question of who will win the title, Sunday represents a perfect opportunity for the Celtic team to take a victory which would be as valuable to them as it would be damaging to Rangers. This fixture has never been played with a backdrop of Rangers' very existence being in question. A defeat would be another demoralising and bitter blow to a blue support which has already taken many so far this season, albeit most of them off the pitch. It would cause further spotlight to fall on Ally McCoist who has managed to rally his team after humiliating exits from both European competitions, exits which angered many in the Rangers support.

As perfect a storm as it appears to be brewing over Ibrox, we know things are never that easy. Celtic need to prove they can embark on a European campaign at the same time as challenging strongly for the SPL title. The Celtic support might underestimate Rangers but the team never should, they are going to the home of the reigning champions after all, champions who know how to win when it matters, champions who will not give an inch to us. Whether Celtic take victory or not is entirely down to the the players and no-one else, it's yet another measurement of how good these players together actually are right now. A lot of talking has been done of market value, renewed contracts and playing at a higher level. It's time to prove that by taking our first big step towards regaining the title.