Kirk Broadfoot has warned SPL leaders Celtic that Rangers are feeling inspired rather than intimidated as the Old Firm prepare to meet for the second time inside a fortnight.

Rangers were beaten by their city rivals at Parkhead on April 16 and make the short trip across Glasgow again on Sunday for what promises to be a pivotal match in the race for the Clydesdale Bank Premier League title.

Victory for Walter Smith's side in the first meeting would have almost certainly led to the championship being wrested from Celtic.

But the stoppage-time winner from Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink breathed life into Celtic's title challenge, as they seek to complete a hat-trick of league triumphs.

After beating Aberdeen last Saturday, Celtic have overtaken the long-time leaders and hold a two-point advantage at the top.

However Rangers, who drew 0-0 with Fiorentina in the first leg of their UEFA Cup semi-final at Ibrox on Thursday, still have three games in hand.

Broadfoot said: "Obviously it is a very big week with the game against Celtic on Sunday and then against Fiorentina next Thursday.

"But it's those kind of games that you want to play in and we are relishing it."

Another three points for Celtic would put Rangers under severe pressure in the heavily-congested final few weeks of their season.

But former St Mirren player Broadfoot insists the Ibrox men will head to Glasgow's east end with confidence.

"The boys will be up for the Celtic game," he said.

"We experienced our first defeat against them last week after an unbeaten six months.

"We were not happy to lose but that can only give us motivation to go there and beat them this time.

"We have played a lot of games recently but I'm not feeling any tiredness and I don't think anyone else in the squad is.

"The players are confident that we can go to Parkhead and look to win the game, and hopefully we can."

Rangers striker Nacho Novo came off the bench to score in the last meeting, and looked to have secured a point for the visitors until the dramatic finish to the match.

Novo was reluctant to promise another goal but the Spaniard is confident Rangers can take their revenge.

He said: "I don't know about that (scoring again) but we will go there and try to do our best.

"We went six months without losing before the defeat so it was disappointing but I think it will be a different game on Sunday.

"Celtic are a good team and it will be difficult but we will do our best."

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