Celtic manager Gordon Strachan admits his team simply have to beat Rangers on Sunday to keep alive their slim SPL title hopes.Celtic will go four points clear at the top if they claim their second Old Firm win at Parkhead in 12 days, although Walter Smith's men would have three games in hand.

Injuries to goalkeeper Allan McGregor and Lee McCulloch, Charlie Adam, Chris Burke and Steven Naismith have suddenly tested the depth of Smith's squad.

And the Ibrox men are facing an unprecedented fixture pile-up in the final weeks of the season.

While Celtic will have had seven days to recover between their 1-0 victory over Aberdeen and the derby, Rangers have just two spare days following their goalless draw against UEFA Cup semi-finalists Fiorentina.

Rangers will play eight or nine games after Sunday's Parkhead clash, while Celtic have just three more.

And, regardless of whether Rangers get past the Italians, they will play away games on the Tuesday and Thursday in the final week of their SPL season.

So the Hoops chief knows another victory for his team would keep everyone on their toes.

"I would say we have to win again," said Strachan.

"It would make it interesting for everybody."

But Strachan refused to speculate on whether Rangers would crack under the pressure should they lose another Old Firm encounter.

He said: "I'm not going to say that about Rangers, because they are doing terrifically well at the moment. We must compliment them on their season so far.

"We have just got to play and if we win it's great, that makes us happy. What it does to other people, I really have no idea.

"What we have to do is to win to make ourselves happy and our fans happy."

And the former Aberdeen, Manchester United and Leeds player added: "I would rather be doing what they are doing. I have been in the position of going for a lot of things and I have enjoyed the challenge."

Rangers will definitely finish their season with a Scottish Cup final against Queen of the South but sealing another final against Bayern Munich or Zenit St Petersburg would extend Celtic's season by four days.

Parkhead chief executive Peter Lawwell has condemned the SPL's decision to move the final top-six games to May 22 should Rangers make the UEFA Cup final.

Celtic would have 11 days between their penultimate fixture against Hibernian and their final match versus Dundee United.

And Strachan added: "I'll be sending the bill for my holiday flights to the SPL.

"I'm just the manager, the club have made a statement and I'll just get on with it. I did that as a player and do it as a manager."

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