RANGERS' legend Ally McCoist admits that it will not be easy for him to remain seated in the home dug-out during this weekend's Old Firm showdown.

The club's record scorer bagged an incredible 27 goals against Celtic during his glittering career and always seemed to rise to the big occasion by finding the net.

Now Walter Smith's trusted assistant it will be up to him to pass on his vast knowledge to the current Rangers squad, many of whom will be making their debuts against Celtic on Saturday.

Ally has no doubt the players selected to face Celtic will handle the situation and insists the game can't come quick enough.

He said: "I am really looking forward to Saturday's match as it has been a long time coming.

"It is a massive, massive game for us.

"We have a reasonable record against Celtic but we know it will be a difficult game and the form book goes out the window.

"They will be so up for this game it will be unbelievable and we know they will come to Ibrox and give everything they have.

"But from our point of view we have been on a good run recently, we have played some good football and also played some average football but have continued to win games.

"The most important thing for us on Saturday is that we get the three points and I have no doubt our boys will be ready. We have all been looking forward to this one."

Ally admits that he misses the buzz of running out on to the pitch against Celtic and that standing on the sidelines is even more nervewracking.

"I think it is probably worse to tell you the truth.

"It is an incredible feeling because you still get the same excitement and adrenaline buzz in the build up to the game but after the first whistle there is nothing you can do about it.

"But that is part and parcel of being a coach and all we can do is prepare the players as best we can and make sure when the game starts we are ready to go.

"At the end of the day you don't need to tell players what an Old Firm game is all about, they know that for themselves and I don't know if there is any way you can prepare for your first one.

"It is just an incredible 90 minutes. You can try to tell them what to expect and what it is like but, believe me, when you run out on the pitch it hits you like a sledgehammer."

Rangers have been slated in some quarters for pulling four players out of tonight's Scotland squad but McCoist insists that Barry Ferguson, Christian Dailly, Allan McGregor and Lee McCulloch all have legitimate injury concerns.  

"I can basically tell you what is common knowledge and what is the facts. We have got injury problems.

"Barry's situation has been well documented. He went to see a specialist last week but thankfully he will not need an operation.

"He has been playing although he has not been 100 per cent fit and Lee McCulloch is the same.

"He has a thigh strain which he has had for a couple of weeks.

"Christian Dailly has a small fracture on his foot which has shown up on an x-ray while Allan McGregor has a bit of puffiness around his knee.

"So we are monitoring their situation right now although I would be hopeful the majority of them will be involved this weekend.

"I think it has been there for all to see that these lads have been struggling a bit with these injuries in recent games."