Rangers faces Celtic, chases 10 point lead
Sunday, 3 January 2010
GLASGOW, Scotland, Jan 2 (AP): Rangers can open a 10-point lead over Celtic by beating its traditional rival in the Scottish Premier League on Sunday and goes into the game buoyed by a 7-1 victory over Dundee United in which Kris Boyd scored five goals.
Although Celtic has a game in hand and home advantage, defending champion Rangers goes into the "Old Firm" confrontation with the better form, having lost only once in 18 league matches this season.
Boyd's five goals on Wednesday took him to 160 to lead the Scottish Premier League all-time scorers past former Celtic striker Henrik Larsson's 158. Boyd is yet to sign a new deal with Rangers.
With strike partner Kenny Miller ruled out of the game after being sent off against Dundee United, Boyd is likely to play a big part on Sunday even though he has not always been a regular starter against Rangers' biggest rival.
"He has missed quite a few Celtic games in the time that I've been back, but he also played in a few of them as well," Rangers manager Walter Smith said. "Right at the present moment, the team is doing extremely well and I don't envisage a situation where you would go along there and play without him."
Although Celtic has a game in hand and home advantage, defending champion Rangers goes into the "Old Firm" confrontation with the better form, having lost only once in 18 league matches this season.
Boyd's five goals on Wednesday took him to 160 to lead the Scottish Premier League all-time scorers past former Celtic striker Henrik Larsson's 158. Boyd is yet to sign a new deal with Rangers.
With strike partner Kenny Miller ruled out of the game after being sent off against Dundee United, Boyd is likely to play a big part on Sunday even though he has not always been a regular starter against Rangers' biggest rival.
"He has missed quite a few Celtic games in the time that I've been back, but he also played in a few of them as well," Rangers manager Walter Smith said. "Right at the present moment, the team is doing extremely well and I don't envisage a situation where you would go along there and play without him."