Tomorrow's second Old Firm game of the season at Parkhead is one which Rangers must claim at least a point from if their title aspirations are to remain realistic, according to Craig Moore, the rejuvenated Ibrox captain.
Remarkably, it is 15 Old Firm league meetings and almost four years since Rangers last defeated Celtic in the SPL at Parkhead, a fact which may weigh heavily on Rangers as tomorrow's lunchtime kick-off approaches. Already eight points adrift of Celtic in the championship, Moore says Rangers cannot afford to lag any further behind.
''It is a massive game for Rangers, we all know that,'' said Moore yesterday. ''I wouldn't say if we don't win then the title will be done and dusted, but if we lose it will certainly be an uphill struggle for us. If that happens, you have to start looking for favours from elsewhere, and I'd rather the league remained in our own hands.''
After eight seasons at Ibrox, Moore will be Rangers' most experienced player at Parkhead tomorrow. Yet the fact that it is so long since Rangers last beat Celtic in their own den, as Moore acknowledged, on top of current domestic form, appears to make Celtic the clear favourites.
''For this particular game, I think a lot of people are writing us off, and, to be perfectly honest, I'm quite happy with that,'' said Moore. ''It might take the pressure off us a bit, but we know what we've got to do. The game is especially important for our fans, who haven't had much to shout about recently. We just hope all that will change on Saturday.
''We will go to Parkhead to win. If everything clicks for us, I don't see why we can't, because we've won there before. We've also got players coming back to full fitness, which should make a difference. But we know we'll have to work harder than Celtic
on the day to get something out of it.''
This season has already been a battle in its own right for Moore. This clever, calculating defender has only just returned after being posted missing for seven weeks with a hamstring injury, having previously missed six weeks between mid-August and early October.
In a vexed period for Alex McLeish and Rangers, Moore's absence, alongside that of Mikel Arteta and Ronald de Boer, has certainly contributed to some of the Ibrox club's recent toils.
Moore returned last week to play 90 minutes against Dundee and says he felt relief as much as anything. ''I was delighted to get back and get that match under my belt,'' he said. ''It's been a nightmare season for me, all stop-start, but at least I've got some peace of mind again. I've been working really hard these last three or four weeks, virtually doing pre-
season all over again, and I've taken no chances this time, taking a week longer in coming back than I needed to. It had been a vicious circle of injuries.
''I felt tired in the last 15 minutes against Dundee, which was to be expected. I don't think I'll be tired this Saturday, though. I think adrenaline tends to carry you through the Old Firm games.''
Not for the first time, Moore will have the considerable task of muzzling Henrik Larsson, a striker with whom he has become painfully familiar in his years in Glasgow. When the Australian spoke about the Swede yesterday, there was evident respect for his most deadly opponent.
''Personally, I love playing and testing myself against the better players,'' said Moore. ''Henrik is a proven goalscorer, not just for his club, but for his country as well. If you don't want to go up against these sorts of players, then what's the point in playing at all? But Celtic are definitely not a
one-man team. If there is no Larsson, there are still others who can cause you problems.''
One of those others is John Hartson, whose recent run of goals against Rangers is among the best in Old Firm history.
The bad news for Ibrox
supporters is that, contrary to some reports, the Welsh internationalist, who was rejected by Rangers on medical grounds on the same day they signed de Boer, plans to extend his stay in Glasgow.
He has been linked with a move back to the Premiership, but Hartson has told friends he would be ''more than delighted'' to stay on at Celtic Park.
A source close to the player said: ''John absolutely loves it at Celtic. His family have settled in Scotland; they think life in this country is superb. He has played at the highest level with Arsenal, West Ham, Wimbledon and Coventry, but he believes there is no-one bigger than Celtic. If Celtic put a two-year deal on the table right now,
I don't think he would be too difficult to deal with.''
More immediate thoughts, though, are concentrated on tomorrow, when Celtic can all but secure the title if their
two-year unbeaten home record remains intact.
The team which thrashed Hibs 6-0 last week is likely to start the match tomorrow. Martin O'Neill's main decision may be whether to field Jackie McNamara at right back or
on the right of a five-man midfield. The only possible change could result in a return for Didier Agathe, although he is more likely to find a place among the substitutes.
Rangers' main dilemma with 24 hours remaining is whether to pitch their new signing, Gavin Rae, straight into the Old Firm maelstrom.
Derby trends, Page 32
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