Rangers demand Old Firm victory to avert crisis

Rangers captain David Weir has warned his teammates they need a win against Celtic on Sunday to avert a crisis at the club.

The clubs clash in the first Old Firm match of the season at Ibrox with Rangers already four points behind their bitter rivals just six games into the race for the Scottish Premier League title.

It means Tony Mowbray can enter the red-hot atmosphere of the Glasgow derby for the first time as Celtic manager knowing that even if his side lose they will not relinquish their position as league leaders.

The Hoops have enjoyed a good start to the season under their new manager with their only dropped points coming in a draw against Dundee United.

However, after a run of three straight goalless draws champions Rangers have found themselves floundering in their attempt to defend their title.

Smith’s men will be glad to see the back of September with their only win coming in a narrow 2-1 victory over Queen of the South in the League Cup.

The month ended in more misery with a heavy 4-1 defeat at home to Spanish side Sevilla in the Champions League which left them bottom of Group G.

But while defender Weir says the players must forget about these results he knows Rangers would face an uphill battle if they were to find themselves seven points behind in the title race.

“We can’t let disappointments linger, that’s how we operate at this club otherwise one disappointment turns to two then it becomes a crisis,” Weir said.

“The best way to respond, in fact the only way to respond, is to win on Sunday.

“There can be no hiding place. We’ve got to be 100 percent ready or else we’ll be disappointed again.

“The result against Sevilla doesn’t make any difference in respect of the Old Firm match. A game against Celtic will always be treated with the respect it deserves regardless of the situation surrounding it or other events of the past. The pressure of these matches is always there.”

Rangers striker Kenny Miller is a doubt to face his former club after suffering a recurrence of a hamstring problem which plagued him last season.

With Kris Boyd often overlooked for Old Firm matches and Kyle Lafferty also struggling with injury it could mean a place in the starting line-up for Scotland international Steven Naismith who led the line in the midweek match against Sevilla.

Mowbray, himself a former Hoops defender, never tasted victory at Ibrox as a player but will go into the match on Sunday with confidence due to the efficient way his side have gone about their business so far.

One player looking to force his way into Mowbray’s plans is Paddy McCourt.

The Northern Ireland international has started the last two games and has been a stand-out, scoring wonder goals against Falkirk and St Mirren.

Aiden McGeady has been struggling with an injury but is expected to be fit while summer signing Marc-Antoine Fortune is still ruled out.

On Saturday, third takes on fourth as Hibernian entertain Dundee United, Kilmarnock face Aberdeen, Motherwell host Falkirk at Fir Park, St Mirren play Hearts and Hamilton square up to St Johnstone.

Fixtures (1500 GMT, unless otherwise stated)

Saturday

Hamilton v St Johnstone, Hibernian v Dundee United, Kilmarnock v Aberdeen, Motherwell v Falkirk, St Mirren v Hearts

Sunday

Rangers v Celtic (1230)