The stakes are already high enough, with Celtic four points behind their rivals having played two games more. Put simply, Celtic cannot afford to lose tonight.

"I think Celtic have better football players than Rangers, we pass the ball better," said the Greek striker. "My opinion is that Rangers don't try to play football, but prefer to concentrate on defence and counter-attacking. That's just the philosophy of the club and ours is different.

"We have a different style and we have to make sure that ours works. In the last match, when we lost 1-0 at Ibrox, I think we didn't get what we deserved. We played some good football then and we have to do so again, but avoid the mistakes we made at Ibrox, which was not taking our chances.

"But that match is in the past and now we are prepared physically and mentally for tomorrow night. We'll do as we always do, try to play good football, make passes, and this time try to take advantage. I prefer not to concentrate too much on how Rangers play, but on how we play."

Samaras could have added that another difference between the teams is the four-point lead enjoyed by Rangers, but he did admit that Celtic have something to prove after a sequence of four defeats in Old Firm collisions without scoring a goal.

"We have to prove to our supporters that we are a good team," he said. "By that, I mean that we are capable of turning our good play into victories. And, of course, we still believe we can win the league championship. Everybody here does.

"Yes, it's out of our hands in that we have to rely on Rangers slipping even if we do beat them in the two remaining games against them. But winning tomorrow's match would help to put some pressure on them that could lead to mistakes. We have six matches left, but nobody can be sure that they will all be won. It's the same for Rangers with their remaining games and we have to try to put some doubt in their minds by winning tomorrow."

Samaras has previous form when it comes to declarations made before an Old Firm match. Ahead of the last encounter at Ibrox, he declared he would score but ended up on the losing side, when Celtic went down 1-0.

His scoring record has not been startling since his arrival on loan from Manchester City in January. The Greek has hit the net only four times, against Gretna, Hibs, Inverness and Kilmarnock. It is perhaps no surprise then that he is uncertain about his future beyond the end of the season. Although he stated a preference for remaining at Celtic Park, it is unlikely his present manager, Gordon Strachan, will be enamoured of the Greek's insisting on assurances that he will be a first pick.

"At the moment, I'm only focusing on what we have to do between now and the end of the season," said Samaras. "But I don't want to go back to Manchester City, that's for sure. I would like to stay with Celtic, because they are a big club and I really like it here. I am at a club who support me and trust me.

"But one of the reasons I don't want to go back to City is that I would probably not be a regular first choice and I really need first-team football at this stage. That's something I'll be discussing with the manager here and I will be looking for an assurance that I will be a first-team player. I don't think I am going to stay at a club if I am back-up striker. I came here because I wanted Celtic to win the title and to help me get ready for the European Championship."

There was also time for another pre-match prediction. "It's always important to score first because you can play better football. My bet for tomorrow is that the team who scores the goal will win, like the last game."

SMITH 4, STRACHAN 0

• GAME 1

Celtic 0, Rangers 1

11 March, 2007

An incredible overhead kick from Ugo Ehiogu early in the second half turned a game that the hosts had dominated, and ended a six-match winless run for Rangers in the fixture.

• GAME 2

Rangers 2, Celtic 0

5 May, 2007

Rangers sealed second place in the SPL (behind Celtic) and a Champions League spot with a comfortable win at Ibrox. Kris Boyd broke a career-long duck against Celtic with the opening goal on 34 minutes, and a clever free kick from Charlie Adam, rolled under a jumping Celtic wall, ten minutes into the second half settled the issue.

• GAME 3

Rangers 3, Celtic 0

20 October, 2007

The first truly meaningful Old Firm game since Smith's return to Ibrox and his side kept up their impressive form in the series. Nacho Novo headed the first, and the little Spaniard added a late penalty after Barry Ferguson had scooped home Rangers' second goal on 57 minutes.

• GAME 4

Rangers 1, Celtic 0

29 March, 2008

Rangers opened up a six-point gap at the top of the table thanks to Kevin Thomson's cleverly crafted goal on the stroke of half-time. Celtic could have had a penalty in the first half when former Hibs players Scott Brown and Steven Whittaker collided, but Gordon Strachan's side offered little in the second half. It was Smith's 22nd Old Firm victory in 38 derbies – a record that outstrips Jock Stein by 10 per cent.

GOALS FOR RANGERS: 7

GOALS FOR CELTIC: 0

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