Source: FOOTYMAD
Somethings gotta give
Both Celtic and Rangers have straight 'A's this season but that can't continue today Daryl Murphy will miss today's home game against Rangers with an ankle injury that will keep him out for the next three or four weeks. James Forrest's ankle injury will also see him miss the game but Charlie Mulgrew (hamstring) and Thomas Rogne (calf) have been back in training and in contention. Neil Lennon believes his Celtic side have their "tails up". He has been in charge for 16 unbeaten SPL games since taking over from Tony Mowbray in March and his team enjoyed what he described as their best performance of the season, the 2-1 win over Dundee United at Tannadice last week. Lennon is pleased by the way his squad, many of whom he recruited in the summer, have gelled together and claims they are in prime condition ahead of the visit from their rivals. He said: "I think it's as good as it gets from where we started from. We have a lot of new players who have to get used to the culture and environment of Scottish football and I think they have coped very well with that. They are playing some good stuff and they were excellent against Dundee United last week. I couldn't have asked any more from them in terms of a team performance and an attacking performance. So the tails are up, there is a wee bit of excitement about this game and the players are looking forward to it. We have gone about things as normal this week but we have worked on a few different things and ways we think we can exploit Rangers.'' Walter Smith has both Kirk Broadfoot and Lee McCulloch back in contention for a place today. Broadfoot has been out with a bruised foot, while McCulloch has been suffering from a groin injury. They both had to sit out the midweek draw with Valencia in the Champions League. Steven Naismith insists there is no danger of fatigue being a problem despite having the more gruelling schedule. Rangers were forced to come through a difficult Champions League game against Valencia in midweek, their third European tie of the season so far. Naismith said: "On paper, you would say they are going to be much fresher with one game a week. But, with the run we're on, we have shown in the last two Champions League games we are capable of coming back and putting in good performances and getting good results. I don't think it will be a major factor on Sunday. If you are a player and you can't get up for an Old Firm game, you shouldn't really be playing football. We have shown in the games after the European competition that we do go to the final whistle and we will definitely be up for this game.'' Rangers - like Celtic - have yet to drop a single point in the league and Naismith's view were echoed by his manager. Smith said: "I don't think there will be any problems in terms of motivation. I always say it is more mental than physical, the tiredness aspect of it. Both teams will be confident.''
