Celtic manager Tony Mowbray has acknowledged the danger of Rangers striker Kris Boyd ahead of Sunday’s Old Firm derby at Parkhead but is looking for the match-winners to come from his own side
Boyd smashed Hoops legend Henrik Larsson’s Scottish Premier League scoring record with five goals in a 7-1 win over Dundee United on Wednesday night.
Boyd’s 19th goal in 18 SPL appearances this season took his overall tally to 160 and the former Kilmarnock striker, who has not always featured against Celtic, is certain to start in a game where victory will take the visitors ten points clear of their bitter rivals at the top of the table..
Mowbray will keep a keen eye on the in-form striker but is confident there will be plenty of dangermen in green and white.
“Boyd is a threat, obviously,” the former Celtic defender said. “I go back to when I was a player. In any given second Ally McCoist could score a goal and I think Kris Boyd is in a similar mould.
“You might not notice him for long spells and then he is there, he knows where to run, he knows where to go.
“I don’t see why Boyd won’t play against us but I wouldn’t pick Walter Smith’s team for him.
“I’m only interested in getting the right team on the pitch for us and trying to give Rangers as many problems as possible.
“Rangers have got players who can score goals and will always be a threat. They are well set up at the back, hard to break down and the experience of Davie Weir is crucial to them.
“In fact, they have some experienced players throughout the team and so we are respectful.”
Celtic will have been boosted by Kenny Miller yesterday failing to overturn his red card against United, which rules the Rangers forward out of Sunday’s game.
But Mowbray is more interested in what his own strikers will do this weekend.
“In this game I hope we have the match-winners in our side,” he added. “We have to look at it as confidently as we can and believe that we can create chances.
“We have players ourselves who can score goals and go past individuals and cause damage.
“So hopefully it is a great game because there are so many good footballers on the pitch.
“It’s certainly a game we are all looking forward to. Old Firm games are always exceptional occasions.”
Celtic defender Gary Caldwell returns from suspension and may take over from Stephen McManus, who replaced him for the 2-0 win over Hamilton on St Stephen's Day.
New signing Ki Sung-Yueng is available for selection following his move from FC Seoul but may have to settle for a place on the bench.
Madjid Bougherra misses the trip to Celtic Park after joining up with the rest of the Algeria squad ahead of the African Nations Cup. Nacho Novo and Sasa Papac are both struggling with a sickness bug, while Kevin Thomson, DaMarcus Beasley and Steven Naismith are likely to remain on the sidelines.