RANGERS coach Kenny McDowall today acknowledged just how significant a Rangers victory on Sunday could be.

The Ibrox side were left trailing Celtic by a whopping seven points at the end of December, but now have the chance to leapfrog the Hoops and go back to the top of the table.

A win would put the Light Blues a point ahead and McDowall knows just how big a deal that could be as the run-in starts to intensify.

"This one is massive," he said. "Psychologically it would be significant if we were to go back to the top.

"There was huge disappointment after the Old Firm game in December because the guys knew they had let themselves down.

"They had the chance to take the game on and go and win it, but didn't take it and the most disappointing thing was they didn't play particularly well.

"When you are at home there is more pressure on you to go and attack and sometimes that can work against you, as Celtic I'm sure would say as well. It can actually be slightly easier to go and play away from home. You need your top players to perform on the day."

Rangers stunned Celtic earlier in the season when they won 4-2 at Parkhead, and McDowall believes the Ibrox side are capable of producing a similar performance on Sunday.

"You're asking a lot," he told Rangers TV. "But the squad are well capable if they play on the day and that's what you need to do in an Old Firm game.

"Generally, it is the form team on the day who comes out on top. That day we played very well, we took our chances, scored good goals and were worthy winners. Hopefully we can go and do that again. We know we have good players and we just need it to click on the day."

And McDowall believes the loss of Nacho Novo will have Celts cheering.

"Nacho will be a big loss and I am sure Celtic are delighted he won't be there because he seems to reserve his best for these occasions," he said. "It is a loss to us but it opens the door up for someone else to come in and do well."