Rangers boss Walter Smith out to avoid third Old Firm defeat in a row for first time in career

Aug 31 2008 By Gavin Berry

WALTER SMITH boasts a formidable Old Firm record but this afternoon he's looking to avoid an unwanted derby statistic.

The Ibrox boss has lost just NINE out of 39 matches against Celtic but defeat today would see him suffer three losses in a row for the first time.

In two spells with the Light Blues spanning nearly 14 years since joining Graeme Souness as assistant in 1986 he has never gone down to a hat-trick of losses to Celtic.

Smith was the Old Firm specialist in his first stint as Gers boss when he was the scourge of Celtic and even won four on the trot between 1996 and 1997.

He also won three-in-a-row against Gordon Strachan when he returned to Ibrox.

But the tables have turned and Smith will be desperate to avoid a third consecutive defeat at the home of Gers' bitter rivals today.

The Ibrox gaffer, though, is well aware of the benefits of home advantage.He said: "This is the third in a row we have played away from home which is an unusual circumstance.

"Down through history, Celtic and Rangers haven't lost an awful lot of home games to each other and if they do then whoever is in charge of the team has a problem.

"That's why winning away in an Old Firm game is such a big result."

Despite his vast experience in Old Firm games, Smith insists he will still have nerves in the build-up to the match. He said: "All these years later it doesn't get any easier.

"It doesn't matter how many times you do it you still have the tension before the game."