Bhoys await Boyd’s Old Firm return

CELTIC midfielder Paul Hartley fully expects to be facing Rangers hotshot Kris Boyd when in today’s Old Firm clash at Ibrox (12.30pm).

Enigmatic striker Boyd has often been left out of derby games since he signed from Kilmarnock in January 2006.

But with 18 goals so far this season, he has provided a powerful argument for inclusion in this weekend’s crucial Clydesdale Bank Premier League encounter, which could see Celtic go seven points clear with a win.

Ibrox boss Walter Smith has refused to confirm Boyd would start but Hartley, who is back in contention for the Bhoys after missing Sunday’s 3-0 win over Falkirk with a virus, cannot see what the fuss is all about.

“I think he will play — I don’t think there is a doubt,” the Scotland midfielder said. “In the form that he is in, I don’t see why he shouldn’t play.

“He has been playing every week and scoring goals. He’s a goalscorer and that’s what he does best.”

Hartley shrugged off August’s defeat to Rangers, who cruised to a 4-2 win at Parkhead.

The Scotland midfielder pointed to the 12-game winning run Celtic proceeded to carve out in the SPL after that loss as they leapfrogged the Light Blues to go top of the table.

“It’s in the past,” he said. “When you take a defeat like that, it’s about how you bounce back and you have to look at the run we went on after that.

“We go to Ibrox with confidence.

“Whatever happens, we will still be sitting top but we will go to Ibrox and try and win the game.”

Meanwhile Rangers’ defender Madjid Bougherra believes both Rangers and Celtic would be good enough to break into the top five clubs in the Barclays Premier League if permitted to join English football’s top flight.

Both halves of the Old Firm have expressed a desire to play south of the border in the past and reap the benefits that come with participating in one of European football’s most elite leagues.

Bougherra has no doubts both Glasgow giants could hold their own in such impressive company.

“Celtic and Rangers play good football,” said Bougherra, who joined Rangers in the summer.

“In the Premier League, they could be in the top five. With the money you have from the TV, you can see the players you can bring in and the football you can play. If you go to the Premier League, there is different money and you can bring in bigger players.”

Bougherra insists Rangers must take advantage of the opportunity to slash Celtic’s lead to a single point.

“It’s one of the big games in the championship because Celtic are in front by four points,” he said.

“We have to come back and win to stay tight with Celtic. We are playing well at home and we have to crowd behind us, so we are very confident.”

Celtic will be without Irish international winger Aiden McGeady after he was fined and suspended from the first team for two weeks following an altercation with boss Gordon Strachan.