Rarely in the past 15 years can Rangers have gone into an Old Firm match feeling so like potential victims. If Martin O'Neill's rampant Celtic side win at Ibrox tomorrow they will go 18 points clear of Rangers.
Despite their game in hand, Rangers may learn what it is like to be horsewhipped. Yet the arrival of the Tore Andre Flo may have the desired effect at Ibrox. For the second time in two days Flo spoke yesterday of his joy at joining Rangers, and the striker may at least bring with him a type of gangling guile which the club badly need.
"We have had our problems, but there is light at the end of the tunnel," said Dick Advocaat, the manager. "I think this will be a game of skill and passion. Celtic are obviously a very good team."
Rangers will miss Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Allan Johnston through injury. Fernando Ricksen has been dropped. Advocaat also admitted that he might be prepared to release Van Bronckhorst at the right price. The 25-year-old, who has only one more full season on his contract, has already been linked with Barcelona.
O'Neill has spent half the season trying to resist his own canonisation in the east end of Glasgow, but that modesty will be futile if his team win at Ibrox. Celtic, unbeaten in 16 league matches, are set to improve on Jock Stein's unbeaten start to a campaign with the Lisbon Lions at the start of the 1966-67 season.
"It's too early to talk of any transformation at this club yet," said O'Neill. "Last year Rangers beat us by 21 points, so let's wait until the end of the season. But I'll say this: we've made inroads."
Chris Sutton did not train with Celtic yesterday but is almost certain to play.
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