Smith believes the Clydesdale Bank Premier League champions will still be smarting from the first Old Firm derby of the season, which saw his side romp to a 4-2 victory at Parkhead back in August.

As far as the Rangers boss is concerned, the last four months will have done nothing to soothe Celtic's anger and frustration at coming off second best.

But he insists his own players will be ready to face any backlash from their arch-rivals.

He said: "Losing two games in a row is never a nice aspect.

"Celtic have shown in the latter stages of last season the pride they have in terms of being champions. Their desire to retain the championship was evident at the end of last season.

"Of course, they will be hurting a little bit and they will want to make amends for that game. We are aware of that situation."

Celtic head into the clash with a four-point lead at the SPL summit and with the advantage of knowing they will still top the table regardless of events this weekend.

For Rangers, it is the ideal opportunity to close the gap further and blow the title race wide open again.

Smith does not believe defeat on Saturday would provide the fatal blow to his own side's hopes but admits losing further ground is not a prospect he wants to consider.

He said: "When you look at Celtic's consistency, it has been great considering they have had a few injuries.

"We've got to look at that and say, 'If we're going to catch them up, we have to do so ourselves and not rely on any other teams'.

"That's why the onus is placed firmly on us at the weekend.

"Sometimes, the league season goes up and down; sometimes you can find yourself in front and pegged back. There are all those aspects.

"It's not a fightback as such; it's just a continuing situation we are in.

"But it's one that we are aware, because of Celtic's four point lead at the moment, that we don't want to allow to be any more."

Smith believes Celtic's pride saw them triumph on the final day of last season after an impressive run of results and expects that determination to be on show again on Saturday.

"It's the pride you take in winning championships that's the biggest thing," he said.

"We got ourselves in front towards the end of last season and we had a number of fixtures to play.

"But, in the two games we had to play at Celtic Park, Celtic showed a desire to beat us, which showed the pride they have taken in winning the championship and wanting to keep the championship.

"They were asked to go on a run of games - I think they won the last seven or eight games - and they managed to do it.

"They have shown the pride and determination and that will be evident again at the weekend."