Smith will equal Stein and former Ibrox manager Scott Symon's record of 26 victories in the Glasgow derby if Rangers beat Celtic on Sunday.

Smith would still be some way off pre-war Celtic manager Willie Maley, with 29 wins, and record holder Bill Struth, who led Rangers to 35 victories between 1920 and 1954.

But the Ibrox manager, who celebrates his 62nd birthday ton Wednesday, also believes he cannot compare himself to Stein, who led Celtic to nine consecutive titles and the 1967 European Cup.

"I didn't know I was close to equalling Mr Stein and Mr Symon's records and they did a lot of good in their times in charge of the two clubs," Smith told the Rangers News.

"But while you can get close to them in terms of games won, I don't think I would even consider myself to be as close in terms of being a manager.

"From my own point of view, Mr Stein has been an iconic figure for any of us who have been involved in management.

"Sir Alex Ferguson has gone to Manchester United and the success he has had there perhaps makes him the best Scottish manager ever.

"But, within this country, Mr Stein is without doubt the best there has been and I'm delighted to get anywhere near any record of his.

"While it's good to be close to that because of what has happened in the past, it's the present that means the most to us.

"Our focus at the moment must not be on what we've done before, but on what we need to do now and we have to keep winning."

Rangers will go 10 points clear at the top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League, with a game in hand, if they beat their rivals at Ibrox.

However, Rangers midfielder Lee McCulloch claims Celtic are favourites following their January spending spree.

While debt-ridden Rangers were unable to make a permanent signing for the third transfer window in succession, Celtic added eight players to their ranks including on-loan Premier League strikers Robbie Keane and Diomansy Kamara.

McCulloch said: "We're not silly enough to forget that with the next game everything can turn again, so we just need to keep doing what we're doing.

"I think Celtic have to be favourites to win the game with the players they have brought in.

"With the rest of the signings I think they have around six strikers, and some good players, but we will not be rolling over. We'll be up for the challenge, that's for sure."

McCulloch was recalled to Craig Levein's first Scotland squad for next week's friendly against the Czech Republic after withdrawing his services to previous boss George Burley.

With both Maurice Edu and the now departed Pedro Mendes having missed long spells of the season through injury, McCulloch has held down a regular place in the Rangers central midfield and the versatile player feels he has benefited from the stability.

"I don't know about the best football of my career, but it's definitely the best of my Rangers career," the 31-year-old said.

"I've got players alongside me on form, too, and that's what makes it easier. We're in a good team and the boys around me are playing well.

"I'm just trying to enjoy it. If we can come out this season being as successful as the boys want to be, then it will be one hell of a summer.

"We've got a dressing room full of guys who hate to lose at anything and that kind of mentality rubs off on everyone."

Both players called an end to their international careers under former Scotland boss George Burley but were named in Levein's first squad for the friendly against the Czech Republic at Hampden next week.

Malpas, who is in the Scottish Football Association's Hall of Fame with 55 caps, told the Scottish Daily Express: "If it was my decision I wouldn't let Kris Boyd and Lee McCulloch anywhere near a Scotland squad again.

"Playing for your country is an honour and a privilege but they obviously don't see it that way.

"They let the country, the fans and their team-mates down, walking out when the country needed them most.

"They seem to think it is a bus ride and they can jump off and back on whenever they please. You can't take holidays whenever you feel like it.

"Playing for your country should be the pinnacle of your career. You can't turn it on and off like a tap.

"I would have walked over broken glass to play for my country, like many of my international team-mates.

"Craig will say he is only looking to pick the best players available to him but I don't think Boyd or McCulloch should be back in the Scotland squad."

Former Ibrox goalkeeper Goram believes Kris Boyd and Kenny Miller can take full advantage of their arch-rivals' underperforming and injury-hit defence to restore the Scottish champions' 10-point lead at the top of the table.

"It's a massive one for Celtic because they've got a few of their most important players either out or lacking match sharpness," Goram told Rangers' website, rangers.co.uk.

"When you're without your best performers in the middle of the pitch - be it your centre-halves, central midfielders or centre forwards - they're hard to replace.

"The wee guys on the outside can be replaced on the wings but the guys who are more involved aren't as easy to fill in for.

"At the moment, we've got a sound defence, a solid midfield and Kris Boyd and Kenny Miller are flying up front.

"I'm sure we can utilise that and give them a doing."

Sunday's game will be Rangers' first for 10 days after their match at St Johnstone on Saturday was postponed due to a frozen pitch.

Goram, who spent seven years at the club during the 'nine in a row' years, reckons that will work to their advantage.

He said: "The players are all fresh and I'm sure they'll play a bounce game at some point to keep their legs moving.

"Celtic have changed a few players but they're not getting the results they should be at the moment.

"They'll come to Ibrox and, to be honest, I think Rangers will be right to be disappointed if they get beaten.

"They went to Parkhead last month and even though they got an absolute battering, they still dug in and got a draw.

"If we can improve on that performance, I really fancy us at the weekend and, if we win, I think that will seal the championship."

Rangers, who were today staying silent on goalkeeper Allan McGregor's availability for the game after he was attacked in Glasgow city centre in the early hours of Sunday morning, remain on course for their first treble since Walter Smith returned to the club.

That is despite a background of financial turmoil at Ibrox and Goram hailed the way Smith has masterminded their current run of form.

"The way things have improved on the park in the last couple of months or so particularly sums the gaffer up," he said.

"Things weren't going so well when the team was in the Champions League earlier in the season but everyone has really picked up.

"The gaffer gets a lot of credit for being a good man manager but people sometimes forget he is a great coach too.

"He has had a few problems since he came back to Rangers to deal with but he has handled them all so well.

"The gaffer has plenty of experience of that sort of thing and he is able to get the best out of players as a result.

"Some players need a cuddle, others need a kick and his gift is knowing how to make players excel. He has done that exceptionally well recently.

"If you look at the situation we're in now, I don't think there's anyone who could have come to the club three years ago and do the same job the gaffer has done."

McCulloch, who made himself unavailable for Scotland under former boss George Burley, has been included in Levein's first squad for next month's friendly with the Czech Republic.

McCulloch is happy to end his two-year international exile and is ready to fight for his place in Levein's side.

"I'm absolutely delighted to be back in Scotland's plans and I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Craig Levein for giving me another chance," McCulloch told the Daily Record.

"It was one of the hardest decisions of my life when I stepped down from the national team. But I had my reasons.

"Now I'm just determined to prove Craig Levein is right to have faith in me - but I am taking nothing for granted.

"There are a lot of very good midfield players in this squad. It's up to me to impress the manager on the training field and show him I deserve to be a part of his plans for Scotland.

"I realise there is every chance I won't get into his starting 11 and I completely accept that. There are other boys who are probably ahead of me in the queue.

"But if get the chance to play in any part of next week's game I'll be thrilled.

"I didn't know if I would ever get another opportunity to win another cap for my country.

"And now it's up to me to prove to the new manager I am worth it."

McCulloch is bracing himself for a mixed reception from the Tartan Army upon his return for the national team.

"I just hope that we can draw a line in the sand now and move on," added McCulloch.

"I realise some of the fans won't be happy to see me at Hampden and I totally understand their position.

"But this is not about Lee McCulloch - this is about Scotland and a new start for the whole country.

"The manager has asked me to be a part of that and I was never ever going to turn him down.

"If I get a bit of stick from the supporters then so be it.

"But I like to think most people will understand the country is in something of a predicament at the moment.

"And the new manager has a massive job on his hands to turn us around.

"For that reason alone I would like to think we are all in it together."

The 28-year-old was also left out of the Scotland squad to face the Czech Republic next month after suffering injuries in a disturbance as he left a nightclub at the weekend.

He is also now a doubt for the Old Firm derby with Celtic this Sunday.

A Strathclyde Police spokeswoman said on Monday: "We have received a complaint from a man in relation to being assaulted on Bath Street, Glasgow, on the evening of Saturday February 20. Inquiries are ongoing."

Scotland manager Craig Levein said the goalkeeper's injuries had been confirmed to him by his Rangers counterpart Walter Smith.

Levein said: "I got a phonecall from Walter last night explaining what had happened and that he was a doubt for the Rangers game next weekend.

"I'm looking for certainty. It doesn't look like he's going to be fit, so it's nice and simple. Once this game is out the way, he will be considered for the next match."

McGregor had been attending a Celtic player's birthday party at a nightclub in Glasgow city centre when he was hurt.

He received treatment at the city's Southern General hospital and was later discharged, a spokeswoman for Greater Glasgow and Clyde today confirmed.

Rangers have not specified McGregor's injuries but they confirmed he had been involved in an incident at the weekend.

A spokesman for the club said: "We are aware of an incident involving Allan McGregor in the city centre and we have no further comment to make."

McGregor has not played for his country for almost a year due to his involvement in the 'Boozegate' affair.

He and then-Rangers team-mate Barry Ferguson were banned from the international team after taking part in an all-night drinking session in the aftermath of a 3-0 defeat by Holland in March 2009.

The pair were then caught making obscene gestures on the bench as Scotland faced Iceland at Hampden a few days later.