BIG MAC: IT'S FOLLY TO COUNT CHICKENS; In association with COMMERCIAL VEHICLES SCOTTISH ROUND-UP.

CELTIC striker Scott McDonald last night played down the significance of the seven-point gap his winner at Ibrox opened up over Rangers at the top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

The former Motherwell player's 57th-minute volley - his eighth goal of the season - was enough to give the champions victory and take them another step towards their fourth SPL title in a row.

In the last 10 previous SPL title races, only once has the side leading the championship at the halfway stage not gone on to win it.

Rangers were the team to buck the trend in the 2004-05 season when, ironically, McDonald helped them win the title by scoring twice for Motherwell to beat Celtic at Fir Park on a dramatic last day of the season.

Celtic take on Dundee United at Parkhead on Saturday and could extend their lead to 10 points as Rangers do not play until Sunday, at Inverness.

While Rangers boss Walter Smith admitted his side now have to go unbeaten for the rest of the season if they are to have any chance of catching their great rivals, McDonald refused to put too much emphasis on Saturday's win at Ibrox.

"By no means are we getting carried away," the Australian international said. "There is a lot of football to go and it will mean nothing if we don't win next week and Rangers do.

"We can enjoy this result then get a little rest and back on the training ground on Monday and get our heads screwed on for a tough game next week."

Celtic had not beaten Rangers at Ibrox since February 12, 2006 when a MaciejZurawski goal took the points back to Parkhead. "I don't think many people fancied us," McDonald said.

CAPTION(S):

BADGE OF COURAGE Scott McDonald hails his winner