Celtic defender Lee Naylor is hoping Rangers' demanding run of big games proves too hard to handle and allows the Hoops to win the SPL.The Ibrox side's 2-0 win over Sporting Lisbon in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup on Thursday night took them through to a semi-final against Fiorentina and keeps them on course to win four trophies this season.

Walter Smith's side are seven points ahead of their Glasgow rivals in the title race with a game in hand, and are still in the Scottish Cup where they face Partick Thistle in their quarter-final replay on Sunday.

If Rangers were to go all the way in both cup competitions, it would mean a total of 14 games to play in a six-week period, six more than the defending SPL champions face.

Naylor, looking forward to getting the first three points back against Motherwell at Fir Park, admits the congested fixture list which Rangers face could work in Celtic's favour.

"That's what we've got to count on," said the 28-year-old.

"If they see us winning and getting the points, even though they've got games in hand, it's going to be difficult (for Rangers).

"We accept that someone else has got to do something to help us and we have to do our job at the same time, first and foremost.

"But we have belief. If you don't have that belief then you shouldn't be here.

"Everyone on that training field believes we can do it and we are trying hard to be where we want to be."

Celtic's 1-0 defeat to Motherwell last weekend at Parkhead was an unexpected fresh blow to Gordon Strachan's side's title hopes.

The hosts had enough chances to win the game but could not take any, and will be looking to make amends against the same opposition tomorrow.

Former Wolves defender Naylor said: "We have been playing really good stuff recently but we are just not putting the ball in the back of the net.

"That's not just the strikers, that's everyone in the team.

"If you don't score the one or two chances that you have, then the onus goes back on you to defend.

"That's what you should be doing but a goal is creeping in now and again.

"Obviously we have to address that but at the same time address the issue of scoring goals."

More Football News from TEAMtalk