Rangers chasing ´perfect ten´

Rangers will make it a perfect 10 out of 10 if they can defeat visitors Inverness Caledonian Thistle in their Scottish Premier League clash at Ibrox on Saturday.

Last week’s 3-1 victory in the first Old Firm derby of the season maintained Walter Smith’s side’s 100 per cent winning start to their league campaign to set a new SPL record.

The Gers are unbeaten in 15 matches in all competitions this season as they have made their best start to a season since 1921.

However, with a midweek game against away to Valencia to follow their match against Inverness manager Smith is concerned that his small squad will struggle to cope with the demands of competing on both fronts.

“The size of our squad may determine ultimately, depending on injury and suspension, how we get on,” said Smith.

“We have shown we can acquit ourselves well with the group we have, but the aspects which are difficult for us to handle would be the injuries and suspensions.

“That can upset our season, we know that, and we are just pleased we have started the season the way we have.

It might seem like Inverness are facing a mission impossible but the visitors to Ibrox on Saturday can take heart from the fact they were the last side to beat Rangers on their own pitch – some 19 months ago.

Terry Butcher’s side came away from Ibrox with a 1-0 win in March 2009 but still ended up being relegated that season. However, Inverness have since bounced back with promotion at the first time of asking and are undefeated away from home in nearly a year.

Smith will be without long-term absentee Nikica Jelavic while Sasa Papac should return following a leg knock picked up in last weekend’s Glasgow derby.

In the early kick-off Old Firm rivals Celtic are away to St Johnstone for the second time in three days. After their narrow 3-2 win in the League Cup the Hoops will hope for a repeat in the league that would put pressure on leaders Rangers.

Manager Neil Lennon will be unable to call on captain Scott Brown and midfielder Beram Kayal for the match through injury.

Colin Calderwood has another difficult task in front of him as he attempts to pick up his first points as Hibernian manager. After last weekend’s defeat at Aberdeen, Hibs face Dundee United away at Tannadice but could leapfrog their hosts with a victory.

Motherwell host Hamilton at Fir Park in the first Lanarkshire derby of the season. Craig Brown’s side sit in third place and made it through to the semi-finals of the League Cup in midweek while rivals Hamilton are just one point off the bottom.

Basement side St Mirren welcome an Aberdeen side buoyed by last weekend’s victory over Hibernian, the Dons’ first win in seven games. On Sunday fourth placed Hearts take on Kilmarnock at Tynecastle.

Depending on results Jim Jefferies’ side could move up to third with a win against struggling Killie.

Fixtures (1700 BST unless otherwise stated)

Saturday

St Johnstone v Celtic (1200), Dundee United v Hibernian, Motherwell v Hamilton, Rangers v Inverness CT, St Mirren v Aberdeen

Sunday

Hearts v Kilmarnock (1245)