WALTER SMITH today challenged his Rangers side to prove they have what it takes to become SPL champions.

The Ibrox men can take a huge step towards the title if they beat Celtic in tomorrow's long-awaited Old Firm crunch and go six points clear with a game in hand.

Rangers haven't lost in the SPL for five months and have banked 49 points in the 17 games on that unbeaten run.

But Smith knows judgment time is upon them with three Old Firm showdowns in their remaining 10 league games.

And, despite many people having the Light Blues as title favourites, the manager knows they still have it all to prove.

Smith insisted: "It is going to be an exciting finish to the season.

"This year, as challengers, we had hoped to make it the case that we would manage to push Celtic.

"I think we have shown that we have the capability of doing that. But people keep asking me if we can go on and win the championship, and when you have a new group of players you just don't know.

"They have to rise to the occasion now as we head into the run-in. Celtic are the team with the pedigree, having won the title in the past two seasons. We are the challengers.

"Certainly, they are more aware of us this season than they have been in the previous couple.

"But Celtic will have a pride and determination to keep going and fight to the end. I know we will have to do that as well, and we have to show those strengths and that desire."

Smith says it will be after training today before he can confirm Lee McCulloch, Allan McGregor and Christian Dailly in his plans.

Skipper Barry Ferguson is fit and Smith admits he's delighted to have his talisman ready.

"It is important to us to have Barry there," he added. "He has hardly missed a game, and the one game I did leave him out of we played badly and lost 4-2 to Hearts at Tynecastle.

"He is our captain and a vital player for the team, but he has had this injury for the past six weeks or so.

"He saw the specialist just to ensure it wasn't causing him any long- term damage, and we were satisfied with the outcome of that.

"With the number of games we have he might be in a bit of pain between now and the end of the season. But hopefully he will not miss too many games."

Daniel Cousin hopes to return against Dundee United next week after fracturing his jaw against Werder Bremen on March 6.

The Gabon striker has been in full training for over a week and said: "I have spoken with the doctors and hope that I can come back next Sunday."

One striker who looks on his way is Slovak Filip Sebo. He has impressed on loan in France at Valenciennes, who have until the end of April to take up their option of a permanent arrangement in a deal worth around £1m, and look likely to do that.