Celtic manager Neil Lennon admits their New Year triumph at Ibrox propelled them to their latest trip to Govan on top form.
Georgios Samaras netted twice to give Celtic a largely unexpected and ultimately comfortable 2-0 victory over Rangers on January 2. Celtic have improved as the season has progressed and netted 11 times in their three most recent encounters ahead of Sunday's Scottish Cup fifth-round tie.
Lennon, whose team face Rangers in the league in two weeks and the Co-operative Insurance Cup final a month later, said: "The players are in confident frame of mind and really looking forward to it, although it's probably an Old Firm game we could have done without at this stage of the season."
He added: "There is no doubt that (win at Ibrox) was a huge fillip for the players and gave them a lot of self-belief to go to Ibrox and win well.
"We have kicked on from there and been very, very consistent. "There's a real belief about them, they are looking like a good team, there is a patience in the players when they are in possession.
"But we realise it can turn fully in one or two games. We are not getting complacent but they have progressed very well, particularly in the last few weeks. We have had some decent results before and after, but that win at Ibrox really gave a kick-start to the team."
While Celtic's form may make them favourites in some quarters, their fitness issues at the back would make others think again about being too sure of an away win.
Natural full-backs Charlie Mulgrew and Mark Wilson started in central defence when Celtic won 3-0 at Aberdeen on Wednesday due to injuries sustained by Glenn Loovens, Daniel Majstorovic and Thomas Rogne.
However, Lennon said: "Our defensive record is very good this season and Loovens is fit now.
"Majstorovic and Rogne shouldn't be far away so hopefully one or two of them will be back. But Wilson and Mulgrew were excellent on Tuesday night and Charlie has been a revelation since he came back into the team, he has not put a foot wrong."
Source: PA
