Celtic v Rangers:AS THE Old Firm prepare to face off again in Parkhead tomorrow a war of words has provided the backdrop with Walter Smith, the Rangers manager, accusing Celtic's chief executive, Peter Lawwell, of being disingenuous with comments relating to a proposed extension to the season.
The Scottish Premier League will add four days to the season if Rangers reach the Uefa Cup final, a matter Lawwell has claimed compromises the competition's "sporting integrity".
Smith believes the SPL has avoided making any decision and that Rangers would not be able to fulfil their remaining seven league games without an extension, but he is miffed that the extra-time will not be granted if his team fail to beat Fiorentina in the semi-final.
As a result of the scheduling, Rangers will play four games in eight days if they reach the Uefa final or four in nine if they do not. "Normally managers don't get involved in this kind of thing, but this has a direct effect on my job," said Smith. "It is physically impossible for us, if we reach the Uefa Cup final, to play the games we have left in the time available so the SPL actually had no alternative but to extend the season. For me, the SPL have opted out of helping a club who have helped to raise the profile of Scottish football."
The manager promptly turned his attentions to Lawwell. "This sporting-integrity situation gave me a good laugh," Smith said. "Peter Lawwell seems to be the chairman and chief spokesman of the sporting-integrity committee. Peter would be better coming out and saying he wants Rangers to play four games in a week because it suits his team and helps their quest to retain the championship. If it was the other way round, I'd want Celtic to play four times in a week so he is as well coming out and being honest."
Smith, hinting that he harbours a grievance over the exact timing of the final derby, with Rangers due in Florence on Thursday, added: "The SPL have acceded to every request that has been made by Celtic. It is no coincidence that we are playing one of our most important games of the season at a time when they would have a fair idea we would be between two very important semi-final matches."
Nonetheless, matters remain firmly in Rangers' hands. Two points behind with three games in hand, merely avoiding defeat would represent a significant step towards the title for Smith's players. Kevin Thomson and Carlos Cuellar miss out through suspension although the captain, Barry Ferguson, will return.
Celtic manager Gordon Strachan admits his team must win tomorrow's Old Firm derby if they are to keep the title race alive, but refuses to pin any hopes on fatigue and injury derailing Rangers in the following weeks.
Celtic will go five points clear at the top if they claim their second win over their Glasgow rivals in 12 days, although Walter Smith's men would have three games in hand.
Yet the Celtic manager knows another victory for his team would keep everyone on their toes.
"I would say we have to win again," Strachan said. "It would make it interesting for everybody."
But Strachan refused to speculate on whether Rangers would crack under the pressure should they lose another Old Firm encounter.
He said: "I'm not going to say that about Rangers, because they are doing terrifically well at the moment. We must compliment them on their season so far.
"We have just got to play and if we win it's great, that makes us happy. What it does to other people, I really have no idea.
"What we have to do is to win to make ourselves happy and our fans happy."
He added: "I would rather be doing what they are doing. I have been in the position of going for a lot of things and I have enjoyed the challenge."
Celtic expect Shunsuke Nakamura to play despite illness and injury problems. The Japan midfielder was hampered by an ankle problem earlier this week and yesterday missed training with a virus. But Scott Brown and Gary Caldwell return from suspension and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, Andreas Hinkel, Lee Naylor and Paul Hartley have returned to training following injury.
