CELTIC'S failure to win any of the last eight Old Firm matches tends to make a nonsense of the managerial cliche that, in this fixture, "the form goes out the window".

Despite Rangers' superiority, not just in the most recent series of clashes with their greatest rivals, but as champions in the last eight seasons, they are invariably priced up generously by the bookmakers. Certainly, there is a closeness between the teams because of the intensity of the occasion, but, generally speaking - and this was also true during Celtic's ascendant years - the team with the better credentials tends to win.

Rangers have already won the two previous meetings this season - they were a little fortunate in the first, but still took the three points - and it is against this background that Celtic's prospects in tonight's renewal of the traditional New Year confrontation have to be considered.

The Parkhead side have not won the corresponding fixture since 1988, the year they went on to complete the league and Scottish cup double. But their supporters may draw more optimism from the return of some important players than any mumbo jumbo about being overdue a victory on the law of averages.

Paul McStay and Phil O'Donnell, after months of recuperation from injury, have been restored to a midfield which has not fizzed as it did last season. An attack which is likely to include Paulo di Canio and Jorge Cadete carries menace enough to worry any opposition.

But it is in defence that Celtic are most vulnerable, especially to the kind of inventive thrusting of which Brian Laudrup and Paul Gascoigne are capable. There are times when Celtic's defenders appear to be ostracising each other, leaving great avenues down which opposing forwards can rush unchallenged. It will certainly be a more fraught occasion for the visitors, who are 11 points behind, with two matches in hand. Defeat tonight will assuredly end their hopes of denying Rangers a ninth successive title.

Celtic could have Andreas Thom back in midfield and Jackie McNamara restored to right back after recent injuries.