Scotland defender McManus is set to lead his side out against Rangers on Sunday after overcoming a knee knock.

The 26-year-old sat out last weekend's nervy Homecoming Scottish Cup win over Queen's Park and is looking forward to helping the Hoops' bid to extend their two-point lead at the top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

Footballers are sometimes stereotyped as superstitious, especially when it comes to big games, but McManus is not among them.

"I prepare just the same as any other game," he told Celtic View.

"I've not got a certain routine and I don't do anything that says I need to do this or I need to do that. I don't need to put my left boot on first or need to put my right shinguard on first.

"I don't do anything like that whatsoever as I'm not superstitious but you need to try to prepare your body as best as you possibly can."

McManus will be relieved to have recovered from his knee strain, revealing that watching Old Firm games from the sidelines is a torturous experience.

He said: "It's horrendous watching it but it's brilliant playing in it. When you're watching it, you are on a knife-edge and you are kicking every ball.

"Then, when you're playing in the matches, they're the best games in the world to play in."

First-team coach Neil Lennon will be glad when Sunday's match is out of the way.

"For two or three weeks beforehand, this game looms large on the horizon," he said.

"It can sort of deflect your attention away from other games at times and that's something that, as a coach or manager, you have to guard against.

"But, come Sunday, the players will be completely focused and they know what is at stake and what needs to be done.

"I am sure we will also get a big improvement on the performance we saw at the weekend."

He added: "The supporters will be right up for the match regardless and it's also one of those games where recent form goes completely out the window.

"We will be ready come the weekend and anything can happen in these games."