Former Celtic star Kris Commons reckons Rangers will be hell-bent on securing an emphatic win when the sides meet in Saturday's title blockbuster.
The rivals still have a midweek Premiership fixture to contend with but the pundit reckons Steven Gerrard 's men will be going all out for victory despite their 16-point lead.
Many believe Celtic's need for all three points plays into Rangers hands due to their exploits in the Europa League and their ability to pick teams off on the counter attack.
But Commons insists Gerrard will throw caution to the wind to seal a victory that will inch them ever closer to a first league title in a decade.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, he said: "It's a must-win game for Celtic, so I've heard it suggested that Rangers might look to play it almost as a European game and play largely on the counter.
"They've perfected that system in the Europa League over the past couple of seasons, but I don't see them playing it cagey like that.
"I believe Steven Gerrard will want his players to make a statement. They will see it as an opportunity to bury their rivals once and for all this season and put the final nail in the coffin.
"They will want to rub Celtic's nose in it and kill off any lingering chance of a title race. For Lennon and his players, they need to relish that challenge and defy the odds."
Commons doesn't hold out much hope that his former team can keep Rangers at bay but does believe the combination of Odsonne Edouard and Leigh Griffiths can cause problems at the top end of the pitch.
And the 37-year-old has urged Neil Lennon to throw everything at Gerrard's side in the quest to hand themselves a title lifeline.
He added: "Given the problems Celtic have had at the back this season, I don't see them keeping a clean sheet against Rangers.
"Their best form of defence will be to go on the attack. Even against a Rangers team with a miserly defence, their best chance of getting a result will be to try and go at it all guns blazing.
"They need to be brave. Why?
"Because they simply have no alternative. A draw is no use whatsoever to Celtic. This is a game they simply must win if they are to resurrect their title challenge.
"At the home of their greatest rivals, Celtic will know it's win or bust when they travel to fortress Ibrox next Saturday at lunchtime.
"I fully expect Edouard and Griffiths to play together up front. So the real question is how Celtic will shape up defensively."
