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Prematch: Rangers vs St Mirren Friday, 05 March 2010 21:36 Written by Nvager

Rangers sit proudly at the top of the SPL table with 61 points from 26 games and with a healthy goal difference of +44 goals. Celtic are in second place with 51 points from 27 games and have a goal difference of +22 goals.

The win last weekend against Celtic was vital in that it gives us some breathing space for the title run-in. Ten points clear with a game in hand and a healthy advantage in goal difference.
My hope is that we finish strong and wrap up the title as soon as possible. Celtic have an awful lot to do to catch us and now totally depend on other teams to help their cause. I would like to think that they might implode and drop points, but that is unlikely. We can however pile on the pressure by winning this Saturday and going 13 points ahead with a game in hand before they play their game away at Falkirk on Sunday.

Walter Smith will have a full squad to choose from if Bougherra can overcome a hamstring strain and McCulloch recovers from his shin/ankle injury. If not Danny Wilson can deputise for Bougherra and Edu can take Lee's place in midfield without any drop in our playing level.

Will Lafferty keep his place out wide? I hope not. I hope DMB is given a chance to play. Both he and Edu played well for the US in midweek versus Holland.

Make no mistake this is a tough game. We saw in the recent cup tie when a late Boyd winner saw us through how organized a team St. Mirren is and they have two big strong forwards up front who are always a threat. We must put in the same effort as we did to beat Celtic. No point in beating Celtic and throwing away points against St. Mirren. It is another must win game.

Walter and this team though have the look of winners and I expect us to win again this weekend. I predict that we will win by 2 or 3 goals.

This is the time to make a strong run to wrap up the title and put loads of pressure on Celtic and I believe that Walter and the players understand this. The players also may be more relaxed and confident after last Sunday's great result and that will hopefully show up in some good football against St. Mirren and another 3 points in the bag. That is my prediction and although the title is by no means won, we should be well on our way to making that happen after Saturday.

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