Out of adversity springs hope.

In April 1994, it came from John Collins' shiny new boots. Back then, one flash of the Celtic midfielder's adidas Predators was enough to give Celtic the lead against Rangers (in a game that finished 1-1). Famously, it was the shot that turned the atmopshere inside Ibrox from mayhem to a morgue. Celtic fans were banned from the stadium and so Collins' strike was greeted with an eerie silence.

The Celtic support will be in full voice on Saturday when they stage their usual boisterous occupation of the away end, but the Parkhead side's task is similar in scale to that of 1994. Rangers' home record this season has been outstanding while their ability to churn out results on a consistent basis has kept them three points ahead of Celtic with a game less played. Strachan has yet to get the better of Walter Smith in an Old Firm game and realistically Celtic must get a positive result if they are to retain their league title.

Collins stressed that Saturday's match will be the sternest test of Strachan's side's mentality, but insisted that they are capable of overcoming adversity and getting a result.

"Going to Ibrox is nearly a must-win situation for Celtic," he said. "A draw is not the end of the world, but if they really want to put the pressure back on Rangers then a victory would be what they are looking for.

"Rangers are on a great run and Celtic will have to put in a great performance to knock them off their stride. If they were to lose, then nine points would be a lot to come back from. But Celtic are more than capable of winning. There's not much between the two teams.

"I don't think Rangers are playing particularly well. They're not hammering teams, they're winning games and that's it. I don't think teams fear Rangers. Strachan will know that, but he will know he needs a big performance to win.

"I think Rangers will stick to their usual 4-5-1 and I don't think you will see a change in Celtic's 4-4-2 system, either. Rangers will try and win the midfield area with five players in there. The first goal is important. If Celtic are to win they will probably have to get the first goal."

If Saturday's match is Celtic's biggest test of the season, then it will also be a pivotal moment in Strachan's stewardship. Despite two league titles and consecutive appearances in the last 16 of the Champions League, he is under huge pressure to get a positive result. The Celtic manager remains unloved by a section of the support, but Collins believes he has come in for unjust criticism.

"I think he's had a rough ride," said the former Hibs manager. "Looking at the stats he's won two titles and been to the last 16 of the Champions League. Being second as an Old Firm manager you're always going to get a bit of flak, no matter who you are, but he has delivered two titles in two years and I think maybe they should give him a little bit of space."

One of Collins' former charges at Hibs, Scott Brown, has also been on the receiving end of criticism recently. The Celtic midfielder has faded after a bright start to the season, but Collins insisted that Brown will fulfil his potential at Celtic.

"Maybe he's not been the same Scott Brown as at Hibs, but it's not as easy as some people think to jump to an Old Firm team. They are a much bigger club, higher expectations and every match is high pressure because they have a full house wherever you go. It's very rare that players turn up at a new club and shine in their first season.

"Scott is a terrific football player. He's got all it takes, he probably just needs to score more goals. He knows that with the talent he's got he should score more goals from midfield. I probably got better as I went along after joining Celtic from Hibs."

Indiscipline has also crept back into Brown's game over recent months and a rash of bookings has earned him a three-match ban which will kick in after the Old Firm game. Collins said he spoke to Brown at Hibs about keeping control of his emotions during games.

"I said to him: Why do players try and kick you or pull your jersey? The simple fact is that it only happens to good players.' You take it as a compliment. Rather than getting angry or aggressive, just smile.

"Top players always get kicked. He did, he learned his lesson. I think at the tail end of his Hibs career he hardly got a booking. He did calm down. I think he's a better player when he's calmer."

Celtic will need cool heads and more on Saturday.