Roy ready for Old Firm baptism of fire, says Maloney

CELTIC striker Shaun Maloney believes Roy Keane is fully prepared for his Old Firm baptism.

Keane has made four appearances for Celtic since joining from Man United, scoring his first goal for the club in the 2-1 win over Falkirk in midweek.

Tomorrow's match at Ibrox will be his first taste of Old Firm action, but Maloney is confident Keane will be more than ready.

"He probably won't be surprised by the passion," Maloney said. "He's been to a few Old Firm games as a fan and played in a few Manchester derbies and I'm sure they are similar.

"He's not said a thing about it, he's stayed pretty quiet on the subject, although to be fair everybody has.

"It took him a while to get in the midfield but Neil Lennon and Stilian Petrov have been playing great and so it must have been difficult for the manager.

"But Roy didn't look out of place against Falkirk and I don't see why he can't play with Neil in the midfield."

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan gave the broadest hint yet that he will find a place for Keane and Lennon in the midfield tomorrow.

Strachan reiterated that Lennon had been rested against Falkirk and added: "I would have no reservations in playing Neil and Roy together.

"Roy has been involved in quite a few big games, I don't think he's scared of any occasion."

Meanwhile Strachan was reluctant to discuss the drama surrounding Alex McLeish's imminent departure from Ibrox.

The Rangers boss, who was a team-mate of Strachan during Aberdeen's glory days of the early 1980s, will step down in the summer after four and a half years at the helm and with seven trophies on his CV.

Strachan would only comment: "In the last four years Alex has shown what a great manager he is and, recently he's shown what a great man he is.

"I've no idea if it will have an impact on Sunday's game."

Rangers are 18 points behind the Hoops in the championship race, but Strachan denied victory tomorrow would end any faint hopes Rangers have of retaining their title.

He added: "I don't assess the way Rangers are playing. It's not my job to assess their form, it's my job to pick a team to play against them.

"My job is to observe them, pass on the information to my team and set out a team to beat that Rangers team.

"I've known Kris Boyd since he was at Kilmarnock and he's having a good season. Peter Lovenkrands, Dado Prso, Thomas Buffel, and Nacho Novo - if he's playing - are all a danger. Anybody who is on the pitch is a danger to us.

"Does victory rule Rangers out? No. If it's mathematically possible, then it's possible."