THE BIG DILEMMA FACING BIG ECK

Celtic are hurting . . . and I mean really hurting, at the real likelihood of having a barren season, while the Gers, on paper right now, look really likely to win five out of the six domestic trophies for this season and last, as well as setting a new world record of 50 League Championships.

So, knowing that his team are technically inferior in most departments to Rangers, Martin O'Neill seems likely to commit his team to reducing what could/should be a classic to a kicking match. This, fuelled by a falsely-based, but nevetheless well-oiled, sense of injustice (at having to do what every other European team does by playing their fixtures) will undoubtedly lead to the severe inTIMidation of match officials, and this is where Hugh Dallas needs to concentrate on the gamesmanship going all around him rather than the security of his windows at home.

It has often been said, and with some accuracy, that the team that wants to win the most, will triumph in the Old Firm game, and so Rangers have to be totally committed - far more so than on their last league encounter with Celtic. It has also been said - again with much accuracy - that these games are won and lost in midfield, and it is these two factors that give big Eck his big dilemma.

We must match, if not exceed, our opponents for efforts and commitment - especially in midfield - but this must be both maximised and measured. A fine line exists between commitment/enthusiasm and verenthusiasm/recklessness. We have the better midfielders - particularly Ferguson and de Boer, with whom Celtic can't (fairly) compete, but we need the likes of Ricksen to be there, competing hard, winning more than 50% of his tackles, but not rising to the bait which will definitely come his way.

If Ricksen puts in a bad tackle, you can guarantee a deputation from the hooped jerseys demanding a red card. Conversely, if we keep our discipline, they will lose theirs, and mayhem of a different order could ensue.

If Arteta plays, he needs to stops letting them boss him about, and after they foul him, get back up and get on with the game right away.

The dirty tricks we have come to expect from Celtic will be in much evidence, that's for sure, on Sunday, but at the end of the day, we have the better goalkeeper, defence and midfield. Providing Dallas keeps the diving of Larsson, the fouling of Hartson and the backing-in and elbowing of Sutton all in check, there will be only one winner on Sunday, as the Gers storm towards their 50th title.

A Celtic victory, and the psychology of the result would despite their (realistically then 2 point) disadvantage, make them, in my book, at least equal favourites to take the title, which simply doesn't bear thinking about.

I am sure Alex McLeish, with all his experience and derby successes, will have the players motivated, but equally strongly warned to expect the inevitable provocation, so given our technical superiority and the backing of a passionate Ibrox crowd, I expect Rangers to maintain their 100% home record in the League, and effectively clinch the 50th title, with a 3-1 victory. Go to it, lads!

BEARSDEN BEAR