The Old Firm will meet in three decisive matches before the end of the season

By Keir Murray

When Celtic and Rangers lock horns on Wednesday it will be the fifth time these old foes have met this season.

Old Firm fans and players could be forgiven for being somewhat jaded by the whole affair, but this week's Scottish Cup fifth-round replay differs from the previous quartet of matches: this time there is no margin for error.

In the three meetings in this season's Scottish Premier League and one in the Scottish Cup - there has been the safety net of, respectively, further league games and the prospect of a Cup replay.

Now, though, those four games seem no more than hors d'oeuvres prior to a three-course meal, for the trio of Old Firm servings yet to be savoured this term will have a major bearing on who will require the champagne... and who gets the sick bag.

Only one team will emerge from Celtic Park on Wednesday still in the Cup to face Inverness; only one team will be dreaming of a domestic treble.

Celtic and Rangers occupy the top two spots in the league, with one meeting remaining, and will convene at Hampden for the final of the Co-operative Insurance Cup on 20 March.

Neil Lennon has enjoyed a vibrant first full season as manager. The feel-good factor has returned to Celtic Park.

Meanwhile, Walter Smith is in the twilight of his distinguished managerial career at Rangers. Each man craves silverware.

While Lennon has assembled a posse of players from across the globe, Smith is largely relying on the same group of players that have served him well in recent seasons.

I don't think you can totally trust him to play in a back four in big games now Former Rangers striker Billy Dodds on David Weir

After the 3-0 drubbing of Rangers on 20 February, Celtic fans were licking their lips at the prospect of further devouring the Ibrox side's ambitions in the Cup replay.

That win put eight points between the teams, although Rangers held two games in hand, and followed a 2-0 away win at Ibrox at New Year and a 2-2 draw in the Cup, a match in which they played a man down for almost 40 minutes.

Yet a little over a week after the 3-0 game, matters do not look so straightforward.

Rangers progressed to the last 16 of the Europa League on Thursday at the expense of Sporting Lisbon, then on Sunday cut into Celtic's lead with a 4-0 hammering of St Johnstone , as their fans celebrated Motherwell's shock 2-0 win over Lennon's men a few hours earlier.

But for former Celtic assistant manager Murdo MacLeod, his old team have the edge.

"In terms of the league, the momentum has swung back in favour of Rangers, but I still think Celtic have the upper hand for the Cup replay," he said.

"Surely one bad game at Motherwell can't ruin all the good work of the last few months.

"Despite that defeat, Celtic will go in to the game confidently after their performance against Rangers in the 3-0 win.

"In fact, I think it's a good thing that they are playing Rangers and not a smaller team. They will be lifted again by the occasion.

"For me, they are the favourites."

Lennon will change his Celtic line-up from Sunday's team. Beram Kayal returns after missing the Fir Park match through suspension, and Lukasz Zaluska will replace goalkeeper Fraser Forster, who was sent off at Ibrox.

Full-back Mark Wilson was substituted after sustaining an injury and, with his rival for the position, Cha Du-Ri, on the sidelines with an ankle injury, the Mexican Efrain Juarez ought to start.

Up front, MacLeod expects to see Lennon make another change.

"I think Georgios Samaras might start the game because neither Gary Hooper or Anthony Stokes played well against Motherwell," said the former Celtic, Dortmund and Scotland midfielder.

"Samaras is a big, strong leader and I expect him to partner Hooper up front."

Both MacLeod and fellow BBC Scotland football pundit Billy Dodds reckon Smith will field a 5-4-1 line-up, one that has produced results for Rangers in Europe and at Celtic Park.

El Hadji Diouf and Beram Kayal are likely to feature in the Cup replay

"Rangers don't need to chase the game," said MacLeod. "I think they are quite happy with the five at the back, with the wing-backs pushing up into the middle of the park when Rangers attack.

"They can line up defensively knowing they have the quality to get a goal in a counter-attack. That's what Celtic need to guard against."

David Weir was rested for Rangers' match against the Perth Saints on Sunday, and former Ibrox striker Dodds viewed the line-up as the ideal opportunity to gauge the central defensive partnership of on-loan Arsenal defender Kyle Bartley and Madjid Bougherra.

He said: "Looking at Davie Weir at Parkhead the last time, I don't think you can totally trust him to play in a back four in big games now.

"I've played with him - he is a magnificent pro - but it's getting to a stage where Rangers are now having to protect him.

"I think Weir could come in and play in a back five on Wednesday night."

With Sasa Papac on the left of a back five, Ricky Foster may keep his place on the opposite side with regular right-back Steven Whittaker pushed into midfield to face former Hibs team-mate Scott Brown.

Whatever the formations, the clubs have reached the point where winners and losers take separate paths. The Old Firm are at the crossroads of their seasons.

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