Ally McCoist has tipped Glen Kamara to bounce back and start for Rangers against Celtic this afternoon after the Slavia Prague race storm in midweek.

The Ibrox midfielder was allegedly subjected to racist abuse by defender Ondrej Kudela during the Europa League last-16 game. He was said to be distraught after the action and manager Steven Gerrard admitted he'd have to have a chat with the player to see whether or not he'd be ready for today's clash at Parkhead.

McCoist, though, reckons the Finland internationalist will want to get back on the horse in today's big derby to try and take his mind off the alleged incident in Glasgow last week.

The Light Blues hero also suggested that the Old Firm derby is exactly the kind of match Gers will want to try and get over the racism issue. "I'm not overly concerned," Coisty said. "I think this is actually a fixture you would've wanted, really, it certainly takes your mind off it and you can focus. 

"The disappointment of midweek against Slavia Prague was there for everybody to see. I've got to be honest, the better team won, by far and a way they were the better side over the two games. Rangers have got to put that behind them and focus on the job at hand and there's nothing better than an Old Firm derby to do that.

"Do I think Kamara will start? I do, 100 percent if he's fit, he starts. I think it's a situation you get back on the bike as soon as you can and I think he'll do that. Steven (Gerrard) will have had a chat with him to see how he is and if he's physically and mentally fit I don't think there's any way he won't start. If I'm in Glen Kamara's boots that's exactly what I'd want, to get back on the park and playing again."

Celtic interim boss John Kennedy revealed last week that his players would not be providing Gers with a guard of honour before kick-off, but McCoist admits he wasn't surprised to hear that update.

Speaking on Sky Sports, he said: "You can see with the smile on my face I didn't think it would happen. But I'm over it. If it happened, great, if it didn't, I've still got absolutely no problem with it because from the first whistle believe me, they won't be expecting any guard of honour or anything like that. I think, deep down, Rangers probably expected it to be the way it is. I 100 percent don't have a problem with it."

Gers are currently unbeaten in the Premiership having dropped points in just four matches. An 'Invincible' league campaign beckons, but McCoist believes Celtic will be desperate to KO that bid at home this afternoon.

"(A loss) wouldn't take any gloss off winning the title but it would certainly be a disappointment and a blow because make no mistake it doesn't happen very often," he said. "And they've given themselves an ideal opportunity, they've put themselves in the position where it's a distinct possibility.

"If you're in the Celtic dressing room you certainly don't want your opposition to do that so you do everything you can to win the game. From Rangers' point of view these chances only come around once or twice in people's careers and they've got an opportunity to go through the league campaign undefeated, which would be a phenomenal achievement."