PETER LOVENKRANDS reckons the stage is set for a Rangers star to write their name in Old Firm folklore tomorrow.

 

The Dane became an Ibrox idol with a number of famous goals against Celtic during his Gers career, most notably his 2002 Scottish Cup winner at Hampden.

Rangers return to the National Stadium tomorrow aiming to upset the odds and book their place in the League Cup final.

And Lovenkrands knows it will be a life-changing moment for any of Kenny McDowall's players if they can net the decisive goal against their Old Firm rivals.

He said: "I couldn't stop scoring against them in that period and it was great. You don't really know how big it is until you score against them.

"That's when you know how much it means to the club and I can say to the boys who haven't played in the game before to keep composed.

"You can get carried away easily in those games and I've been on both sides of it. I've been a hero with a few goals, but then a couple of years later I wasn't.

"It went up and down for me as well, but imagine Rangers going in and beating Celtic 1-0. For the guy who scores that goal, it's going to be unbelievable.

"It can make careers for anybody and that's the case for players at Celtic as well, of course. I'm just hoping it's someone from Rangers who has that. It can be a life-changer."

With mounting problems off the park and a host of issues on it as they have struggled for consistent form in the Championship, the odds are stacked against Rangers as they prepare for their first Old Firm clash in three years.

But Lovenkrands insists the Ibrox side should never be written off as the build-up continues to an eagerly-awaited derby duel.

He said: "Never discount Rangers. It's a derby game and anything can happen. Everything goes out the window.

"People are talking about the differences between the two teams, but I don't think that counts for anything when it comes to an Old Firm game in a cup-tie.

"Anything can happen and I've seen it time and time again over the years."

The Hampden showdown will be the first Old Firm fixture for a handful of players on both sides of the city as they get set to sample the famous derby atmosphere.

While Rangers have several home-grown stars in their ranks, the Hoops squad is an eclectic mix of players from across the globe.

And Lovenkrands hopes the local knowledge within the Light Blue pool will stand McDowall's men in good stead.

He said: "A lot of Celtic players don't have a lot of experience of Scottish football and they'll go into this game thinking Rangers are a lower-league team.

"There might be that chance they are going to go into it thinking it is going to be easier against Rangers than it is. That will hopefully benefit Rangers."