Source: Team_Talk
Davis hoping to consolidate top spot
The Scottish champions are determined to start the new year the way they ended 2009 - with another emphatic victory which would pile the pressure on their arch-rivals.[LNB]The Old Firm derby on Sunday is one which will be highly-anticipated by both sets of fans but Rangers know their fine form in the last month provides them with a great chance to open up a huge gap at the top.[LNB]"It'd be massive for us," said Davis.[LNB]"We know there's obviously a lot of pressure going into any Old Firm game.[LNB]"We've managed to get ourselves into a good position but there's still a long way to go in the season.[LNB]"I think if we go to Parkhead and get a good result, that'll stand us in good stead. We've been playing really well recently and managed to put together a great run of results and are scoring goals.[LNB]"It obviously puts us into a great position going into the Old Firm game and we just have to try to maintain that run."[LNB]Kris Boyd stole the show with five goals in midweek as Rangers cruised to a 7-1 win over Dundee United.[LNB]But with 26 netted by the team as a whole in December, goals are coming from all over the park.[LNB]Asked what has changed in the last few weeks, Davis replied: "It's basics really; it's just hard work. Everyone's working hard for the team off the ball.[LNB]"On the ball as well, we're making movements for each other and creating chances. The boys have been spreading them out amongst the team and putting them away.[LNB]"It's just great that we go into the Old Firm game on the back of a good run of form and it's just about maintaining that now."[LNB]Rangers will be without Kenny Miller for the Old Firm clash after he failed with an appeal against the red card he picked up on Wednesday night.[LNB]Manager Walter Smith reacted with anger to the news, having been convinced video evidence would clear the striker of any wrongdoing.[LNB]Madjid Bougherra will also be absent after joining up with the Algeria squad ahead of the African Nations Cup and Smith revealed teenager Danny Wilson is set for a recall to the first team.[LNB]The Rangers boss sees no reason why the 17-year-old should be fazed by the occasion, having already impressed in the Champions League this season.[LNB]He said: "He showed earlier in the season that he wasn't afraid of coming in and playing in the bigger games.[LNB]"He had to play away from home in the European game and handled it very well.[LNB]"For any young defender coming in, there is obviously the initial nerves to overcome and he managed to do that and played extremely well in the matches.[LNB]"There is no reason why he should be any different for the Celtic game.[LNB]"Kirk Broadfoot is back now and can play at centre-half and Lee McCulloch as well so we have options there.[LNB]"But young Danny played well in the games he had previously so there is no reason why he shouldn't go into this one."[LNB][LNB] Celtic v Rangers. Click here to bet.
