League leaders Celtic go into the first of their Glasgow derbys at Celtic Park on Sunday after an impressive 3-0 win against Falkirk last weekend.

The football they played had to be one of their finest performances in years with Celtic's prodigal son Shaun Maloney returning to the fold to reek havoc on the Bairns defence.

Despite winning the man-of-the-match award, Maloney refused to take his inclusion for Sunday's game for granted.

“Obviously when I signed I knew the game was a week away,” he said.

“These games are huge and I think everybody in the squad will be vying for a place and I will be no different.”

Marc Crosas who came on for the last quarter of an hour of Saturday's game is raring to get a taste of the action on Sunday.Despite not having played a part in his old club Barcelona's games against arch rivals Real Madrid. He has watched previous Celtic/Rangers games and knows the intensity of such games

He said: "I have seen Celtic/Rangers games on TV and was impressed by the atmosphere. But nothing quite beats the real thing.

"I know derby matches are special because I spent so long at Barcelona watching games with Real Madrid.

"It was the game everyone wanted to see, the one they all wanted to play in. I was no different, but the nearest I ever got was in December when I was in the squad.

"I thought I might get a seat on the bench, but had to settle for watching from the stand.

"Being involved is special. Even if I am not playing against Rangers, I will give my all as a squad member - but nothing can beat playing."

Strachan will most probably change the side which hammered the Bairns.With Skippy and Big Jan out injured he still has some limited attacking options with Samaras and Maloney

Ghord remains optimistic that the pair will recover in time to face Rangers but it is not a certainty the two strikers will be in the starting line up.

"Scott's injury came as a surprise to us because he trained on Friday morning." said Strachan

"It's an abductor muscle and so he is going to have a look at that but he might be fit for next week. He's a strong lad so we will see how he is.

"Jan has a bad gash at the bottom of his leg, we will have to wait and see if there is any bone or ligament damage. We will find that out tomorrow."

Manager Gordon Strachan doesn't want an entertaining game but a win at all costs

He said: "What I want is people who can break down defences. That's different from wanting entertainers.

The weekends game will be a test of the season to come.With new signings from both camps wanting to stamp their authority on their respective first team

Turncoat Kenny Millar will be sure to get a big FAILTE Celtic Style if he lines up for the Gers and while the battle goes on pitchside who would like to be in referee Dougie McDonald's boots after the recent claims of poor refereeing and biais.

He said

"It's always an honour, never a dubious honour, to work at an Old Firm match.

"I know there will be a lot of focus on me but it's always the case that the next Old Firm game is always the biggest one.

"It's a massive match for the players and it is for the ref and my officials as well.

"I'm certainly not fazed by the challenge."