[DavidMc]

Rangers v Celtic

Assistant manager Ally McCoist is relishing the prospect of extending Rangers' SPL lead over Celtic.
"We have an opportunity to create a bigger gap and that is something that we want to do," said McCoist ahead of Saturday's Old Firm clash at Ibrox.

"There is equal pressure on both sides. It is as vital for us to win this as it is for Celtic.

"Both clubs are doing very, very well in the league and the recent results have been very good."

Rangers have won their last 12 league matches, while Celtic can boast a tally of 31 points from a possible 33.

If the home side were to make it 13 victories in a row, they would open up a six-point lead, having played a game less.

And McCoist was in a positive mood before the first of three end-of-season derbies - the next two being at Celtic Park.

"The players are the same as the punters in the respect that they get excited, they talk about it, they look forward to it and I can tell you that our lads are really looking forward to it," added the former Ibrox striker.

"I just think that the punters and fans feel that something has to give.

"I don't know who the draw suits. I'm not thinking about drawing and I'm not thinking about losing.

"We are thinking about winning the game.

"There is a danger that if you think about looking for a draw or accepting a draw, that you don't get that or a win.

"So we will be doing our best to win."

Barry Ferguson missed out on Scotland's friendly with Croatia on Wednesday due to an ankle injury but will be fit to lead Rangers out for the lunchtime kick-off.

And manager Walter Smith is delighted to have his captain available for such a vital encounter.

"It's important for us to have Barry there," Smith told the club website.

"He has hardly missed a game and the one I did leave him out of we played badly and lost 4-2 at Tynecastle.

"He has had to endure this injury for the last six weeks or so and, with the number of games we have, he might be in a bit of pain between now and the end of the season."

Smith has yet to lose an Old Firm game since his return to Ibrox last year and he is expecting a thrilling finale to the season.

"It's going to be an exciting finish," he added.

"This year, as challengers, we had hoped to make it the case that we could push Celtic.

"I think we have shown we can do that. But people keep asking me if we can go on a win the championship and, when you have a new group of players, you just don't know.

"They have to rise to the occasion now as we head into the run-in.

"Celtic are the team with the pedigree, having won the title in the past two seasons.

"Celtic will have a pride and determination to keep going and fight to the end. I know we will have to do that as well, and we have to show that strength and that desire."