Gary Caldwell is available again for Celtic, while Rangers' Kris Boyd is in excellent form

Celtic manager Tony Mowbray is warning his team to be wary of the threat of Kris Boyd when Rangers visit on Sunday.

The striker's five goals against Dundee United made him the Scottish Premier League's top scorer on 160 goals, above former Celtic star Henrik Larsson.

"Boyd is a threat, obviously. You might not notice him for long spells and then he is there, he knows where to run, he knows where to go," said Mowbray.

"Rangers have got players who can score goals and will always be a threat."

Boyd has not always featured for Walter Smith's side in Old firm derbies, with the Rangers manager often opting to play Kenny Miller as a lone striker.

MY SPORT: DEBATE How do you see the Old Firm match going?

But, especially with Miller missing through suspension, Mowbray fully expects Boyd to line up at Celtic Park on Sunday.

"I don't see why Boyd won't play against us but I wouldn't pick Walter Smith's team for him," said the Englishman.

"I'm only interested in getting the right team on the pitch for Celtic and trying to give Rangers as many problems as possible."

"In this game I hope we have the match-winners in our side.

"We have to look at it as confidently as we can and believe that we can create chances."

A win for Rangers would take them 10 points in front of their Glasgow rivals in the title race - although Celtic still have a game in hand.

The importance of winning against each other always has an influence on the championship and where the trophy will rest Walter Smith

But Smith, whose Rangers side is in blistering form, having scored 17 goals in their last three games, is playing down his team's chances ahead of their trip across the city.

"The Old Firm games seem to turn all that on its head. We have been scoring regularly in recent weeks but that will be given its full test against Celtic," said Smith.

"I don't think there could be a tougher place for us to go and try to get a win than Celtic Park.

"Form books and all the other aspects go out the window in Old Firm games.

"I don't think you can look at one aspect of your game and be that confident that, when you're going into an Old Firm match, that's the way it will pan out."

And Smith added that, although he rarely looks forward to these fixtures, they can have a large bearing on the destination of the championship trophy.

"If you look over the last few years, the importance of winning against each other always has an influence on the championship and where the trophy will rest," he said.

"We managed to win the first game at home and Celtic will be extremely determined to ensure we don't repeat that at Celtic Park."

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