Goals from Georgios Samaras, Koki Mizuno - who was making his first start for the club after signing from J League side JEF United in January - and the Australian international against Falkirk yesterday restored the champions' lead over the Light Blues with a 3-0 victory.

The build up to the clash had been dominated by the dressing-room bust-up between Aiden McGeady and manager Gordon Strachan which had led to the Republic of Ireland international being fined and suspended from first-team activities for a fortnight, missing the visit to the Falkirk Stadium.

However, McDonald and his team-mates shrugged off the controversy to bolster their title hopes.

And the Celtic striker looked forward to the trip to Ibrox by saying: "We just need to worry about what's at hand and that's winning games and getting points on the board."

Celtic know that even defeat against Rangers, who won the first Old Firm encounter at Celtic Park in August 4-2, will see them stay at the top of the table.

However, the former Motherwell striker, who notched his first goal in eight games yesterday, insists the Hoops players will not be taking that attitude over to Govan.

"It's irrelevant really," he said.

"You can't look at things like that, it's a sign of weakness if you do.

"We are going into that game wanting to win it, just as they did at Celtic Park the last time.

"We haven't won there for quite a while and it would be nice to go and put that right and try to stretch the gap.

"Obviously it's going to be difficult but it should be a good encounter."

Falkirk remain on 17 points along with Motherwell, Inverness Caledonian Thistle and bottom side Hamilton Academical.

Bairns manager John Hughes praised his side's effort but dampened down any overly-ambitious expectations at the club.

He said: "Our remit is to stay in the SPL.

"I hear players talking about the top six but that is never going to be the case, not with our budget, unless we have a lucky year.

"I work with a bunch of boys that work ever so hard.

"I want my team to play football in the right manner and I have a great belief that we will turn it around.

"So, upwards and onwards."