We have a decent chance going into this one - but there is also the chance we could get hammered. Rangers seemingly struggled to beat Inverness Caley Thistle at home so are vulnerable at the moment, but they are still a force to be reckoned with even when they're not firing on all cylinders. Meanwhile, we haven't won in our last four games but did do extremely well at Motherwell last week. We're not on top form but it's usually in those situations we seem to pull off a result against the Old Firm!
To do that we must work hard, get in Rangers' faces from the off and, importantly, not make any stupid mistakes. That's what has cost us in the two games against Celtic, but we didn't make an early errors against Rangers and ended up leaving with a point. Like any game against the Old Firm we go with hope rather than expectation where any sort of result is a bonus. However, if we get stuck in and go with a sensible line-up we can quite easily produce a Christmas cracker.
For the last few months we have been able to revel with the wonderful stat we are the only SPL side Rangers have yet to beat this season. Steven Thompson's wonderful, glorious last minute equaliser at Ibrox in October saw us end a three year losing streak to the Gers and put every Buddie in a good mood for a few days. There's no reason why lightning can't strike twice tomorrow, but it goes without saying it won't be easy.
The side that started against Motherwell last week was the one that destroyed Dunfermline the last time we won again and it would have been good if we could have kept the same team. However, Jim Goodwin's antics - aside from his wonder goal - mean that won't be the case for some time. The club captain is banned for the next three games and we're hardly overflowing with suitable replacements. Hugh Murray would be ideal but hasn't played since May, Steven Thomson isn't fit and Illias Haddad is leaving next month. It'll be interesting to see who gets the nod.
It wouldn't be a surprise to see other changes in midfield. Last week we started with Steven Thompson, Paul McGowan, Nigel Hasselbaink, Graham Carey and Kenny McLean and Lennon may feel that is a bit too attacking to start against one of the Old Firm. However, with his options already limited he may have no other choice - bringing Gary Teale or Aaron Mooy in is hardly a defensive move! There was some good news this week with Lee Mair declaring himself fit on Twitter and he should return, leaving Darren McGregor our only big injury worry.
Rangers are currently top of the league and Ally McCoist seems to be making a solid start to his managerial career, although their exits from Europe and the League Cup were most amusing. They could be forgiven for starting to think about Wednesday's crucial (when are they not?) Old Firm clash, but this and their bread and butter and they'll be looking to go into that match on a high. We're not going to get any favours from them just because it's the season of good will.
Barely a week goes by without some story involving Rangers and their money worries. As someone who grew up with them buying numerous trophy and acquiring any opposition player who might cause them a few problems I find this quite amusing and a classic case of reaping what you sow. Quite how much of the problems under Craig Whyte's stewardship are real or have been made up by the press is anyone's guess, but it's clear to anyone there have been huge cutbacks in the last few years. As a result, the media were quite keen to point out how wonderful Walter Smith was and will no doubt do the same if McCoist converts their current position into a fourth successive title.
But let's make one thing clear. While they have indeed cut their cloth, they still have one of the biggest two budgets in the country, the other contender for that prize being obvious. A look at their website reveals a first team squad with the number of current internationals well into the double figures, not exactly something the rest of the SPL can boast. So while repeatedly seeing off Celtic with a smaller budget is laudable, don't for one minute think they're the plucky underdogs with no money that some folk would make you think they are.
And with that in mind, it's important to remember that they still have a number of handy players. Allan McGregor is comfortably the best goalie in the SPL and one of the best in Britain. Sasa Papac is an excellent leftback who was joined by Lee Wallace in the summer (funny how the apparently skint club managed to find the seven figure sum to pay for that one). Carlos Bocanegra and Dorin Goian are something Celtic don't possess - solid, reliable centre-halfs. They must be doing a good job too as they're keeping veteran Davie Weir out of the side - finally suggesting that Rangers can do without him.
And while I may have approached the Rangers' team in the same way Smith did - focus on the defence - they have plenty of players that can hurt you while the others are shutting you out. Stevie Naismith may be injured, but Nikica Jelavic is a very handy striker who has banged in 14 this season and is likely to attract some transfer bids next month. When Kyle Lafferty screws the net he is a dangerous player and the same can go for Sone Aluko, despite his comical defending that led to their only league defeat to Kilmarnock last month. In midfield the likes of Steven Davis and Gregg Wylde also need to be watched.
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