'Buoyant' Celtic ready for 'spooked' Rangers visit, says O'Neill

Martin O'Neill expects "spooked" Rangers to provide a formidable challenge in Celtic's must-win Old Firm showdown on Sunday.

With just three games remaining Celtic trail leaders Hearts, who visit Motherwell on Saturday, by three points.

Rangers are all but out of the running after relinquishing a 1-0 lead to lose 2-1 at Tynecastle on Monday, leaving them seven points off the top.

"The mood is pretty buoyant for a start, that's the most important thing," manager O'Neill told Celtic TV.

"Big game, really big game at the weekend and we have to win. [Expecting] a very strong challenge, obviously.

"I think if we look back, they played exceptionally well in the first half against Hearts.

"They were in complete control of the game, got the goal in front, Hearts were obviously going to have a reaction.

"You can't be leading that league for that length of time and not have something and they did. It seemed as if it spooked Rangers a little bit."

O'Neill doesn't feel the need to issue a rallying call to the Celtic fans before this weekend's derby as they "know what to do".

"When it is all together, then there is this great feeling of unity," O'Neill added.

"Obviously the results are the most important thing, but the power of the fans is fantastic.

"I probably don't really need to give them a message. I think they know what to do."