Last week against Celtic we did very well, even though we lost. Rangers were poor at Hamilton, but managed to grind out a point - something many Saints fans were quite relieved about! They are unlikely to be as poor again this weekend, however, and even if we play as we did last week at Parkhead we will have to go some to get a point. Both sides need something from the game for different reasons, but Rangers are obviously massive favourites.
Our record at Ibrox is not good. No wins there since the 1991/92 season and even then it took a thunderbolt from Kevin McGowne to give us the win - there are so many parts of that sentence that seem like a lie but are in fact the truth! A more famous victory was when current Rangers coach Kenny McDowall was playing for the Buddies and skillfully nicked the ball from keeper Chris Woods to score - the sort of challenge that would probably lead to a red card these days! That it was flag day and Maurice Johnstone's Rangers debut made it all the sweeter for those who were there.
Last week Danny Lennon went with a team selection I hoped we'd never see again - a back four of four centre halfs. It hasn't worked earlier in the season so why he thought it would work at Parkhead is a mystery - but it's obviously a mystery he thinks he can solve as it very nearly got us a point. Goodness knows what the difference was but we seemed to cope relatively well with what Celtic had to throw at us. While I would like to see fullbacks David van Zanten and Jure Travner back in the side, I wouldn't be too angry if we went with the same defence.
Unfortunately, we can't go with the same midfield or loan striker as Hugh Murray and Michael Higdon are suspended. It's not the worst game for them to miss, but Higdon's suspension for the first game after the split is a bit of a worry. Fortunately, Celtic will let Paul McGowan out to play again so he'll slot in somewhere, while take your pick from Gareth Wardlaw, Craig Dargo - who is apparently fit - and the lesser spotted Aaron Mooy to take the other role. Expect the ultra attacking (ahem) pair of Jim Goodwin and Paddy Cregg to join Kenny McLean and Steven Thomson in midfield.
You may not have noticed, as the media has been quite quiet about it, but this is Walter Smith's final year in charge of Rangers. After the final SPL game of the season - which is just a few weeks away - he will walk off into the sunset and not come back. Just like he did in 1998. Sadly, we have been spared the amusing sight of him once again leaving after a trophyless season as they have already won the League Cup. They're still in with a shout of the league and while they'll need to go some to overhaul Celtic, they do have the advantage of a home Old Firm game to come after the split.
Another thing you may be unaware of is that Rangers are a bit hard up for cash these days. Despite that, the plucky little underdogs are still able to field a team of internationalists most week which puts all but one other SPL side to shame. Nikica Jelavic is a handy striker and if he stays fit may become as prolific as the departed Kenny Miller and Kris Boyd. Steven Davis is one of the best midfielders in Scotland, although his form hasn't been so good this season, while the likes of Stevie Naismith and David Healy are hardly short of international or top flight experience. Worth bearing that in mind next time you hear about injury problems at Ibrox.
Much of Rangers' success in recent years has been down to their strength at the back, something Smith has relied on a little too much when playing in Europe and even at home. Davie Weir and Madjid Bougherra are solid in the middle, with Steven Whittaker and Sasa Papac looking after the wide areas. In goals there is Allan McGregor who is usually superb, and if he's not playing then Neil Alexander is a more than able deputy. They can also rely on Arsenal loanee Kyle Bartley, who scored against us in Paisley in February.
But while they can be defensive, Rangers have players who can hurt you. I've mentioned a few, but they also have Kyle Lafferty, who can be poor but can be excellent on their day. El Hadji Diouf is also capable of causing problems and will be the target for abuse from Saints fans tomorrow.
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