IN case you have been on another planet, and no doubt some people in and around Glasgow will wish they were later today, Rangers will play Celtic at Ibrox Park for the first time in five years at lunchtime, writes Martin Hannan.

The last league meeting between the two clubs came in September and ended in a 5-1 victory for Celtic, who are hot favourites to beat Rangers despite the Ibrox club’s recent impressive run of form.

The Ibrox side have been dealt a blow already with the news that defender Rob Kiernan has been offered a two-match ban for allegedly punching St Johnstone captain Steven Anderson in midweek.

Kiernan is available to face Celtic today, however.

The Hogmanay game has caused controversy because of the timing on a busy day for the city, and police have had to warn Celtic fans not to bring hard hats to the game – a jokey reference to the rumours about the safety of the stadium’s roofs that chairman David King has said will need repaired.

There was also an appeal yesterday for all fans at the match to respect the minute’s silence that will be held before the kick-off in commemoration of the 66 supporters who died in the Ibrox Disaster on January 2, 1971.

On the pitch the pressure is on Rangers, who simply must win to have even the modicum of a chance of stopping Celtic – 16 points clear with a game in hand – taking the title.

It was interesting, therefore, that Mark Warburton called on his players to “enjoy” the challenge today.

The Rangers manager said: “The weight of expectation is there every week and they are a fantastic crowd in a magnificent stadium. We know what we have to do.”

Warburton says his game plan is simple: “Score more goals than them. Basically, that’s what it is. We need to try to dominate possession.

“They are a very good team and we need to look after the ball, get the ball into the key areas of the park and get the rewards.

“We are gelling as a team and hopefully we can turn in a good performance.”