CELTS NEED A SNOOKER; Gers in pole position after Steve Davis pots greens.

Byline: MARK GUIDI

RANGERS .........1 CELTIC .............0 MARK GUIDI reports

RANGERS surely can't throw the title away now after reclaiming top spot with just three games remaining.

Walter Smith's men blew it last season and the crushing blow cast a dark cloud over Ibrox that wasn't lifted until a 4-2 win at Parkhead in August.

Failure to hoist the flag this term could leave them in depression for years. And it would probably cost Walter Smith his job.

But there's a positive mood around Ibrox now after a priceless Steve Davis goal earned a crucial win over their bitter rivals and sent Gers two points clear at the top.

You need players to stand up stand up and be men in the heat of an Old Firm battle.

And Smith had that yesterday as Neil Alexander, Madjid Bougherra and Davis turned in big displays.

Bougherra, in particular, was outstanding as the stopper helped Gers hang on when Celtic pushed for a leveller in the second half.

To be fair, Gordon Strachan didn't have many failures.

Gary Caldwell had a good game while Shunsuke Nakamura and Andreas Hinkel also played well.

The Hoops just couldn't turn their possession into goals as VIPs like Sir Alex Ferguson and Graeme Souness were treated to an entertaining encounter.

Smith left in-form hitman Andrius Velicka on the bench and opted for Kenny Miller alongside goal-machine Kris Boyd.

Miller's pace and movement is perfect for Boyd and the Scotland striker won a foul inside two minutes when Paul Hartley caught him to earn a booking.

But Celtic were first to work the keepers as Neil Alexander tipped over a Nakamura free-kick.

The Japanese star was the calmest man on the pitch.

His touch, passing and vision were all top-drawer.

He was up against Steven Whittaker and the Ibrox left-back came close to opening the scoring after 21 minutes.

Whittaker whipped in a cross that was missed by everyone before crashing off Artur Boruc's post.

Celtic then started to control the game and were denied a strong claim for penalty in 32 minutes when Whittaker caught the legs of Scott McDonald.

Rangers took full advantage five minutes later when they opened the scoring through Davis.

Miller showed terrific tenacity to get to the dead-ball line and his superb low cross was fired home by the sliding midfielder.

The Hoops almost equalised right on half-time when Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink's header from six yards beat Alexander but was cleared off the line by Davis.

Just before that, Ibrox midfielder Maurice Edu copped a sore one when Glenn Loovens caught him on the knee with his follow through from a clearance.

The Dutchman was lucky ref Craig Thomson didn't see it as he would have been sent off.

Celtic came out looking to score after the break and their passing and movement was good.

However, Alexander's save from a Vennegoor of Hesselink header kept Rangers ahead.

Boyd was then sent clear by Miller on the hour but blew his chance to kill the game as Boruc spread himself to save.

Aiden McGeady was a surprise omission by Strachan but he finally came on for Shaun Maloney after 62 minutes.

Why did the Hoops boss leave his most dangerous player on the bench? Strachan wasn't for elaborating - but the decision backfired on him.

McGeady had a chance to level for the Hoops when he picked up a Hinkel pass and skipped past Davie Weir in the box.

But the winger fired into the side-netting when he should have hit the target.

At least McGeady showed some spark - too many of the flair players didn't show up.

Celtic's Marc Crosas looked incapable of making simple 10-yard passes while Pedro Mendes was never in the game for Rangers.

Strachan's side pushed hard for a leveller late on and Boruc even went up for corners.

But Bougherra and Christian Dailly defended superbly to keep the Hoops at bay.

It's now advantage Rangers but few could say the helicopter will have a straight flight path until the final whistles sound on May 24..

CAPTION(S):

Slide has turned: Gers ace Steve Davis celebrates his killer blow as Maloney hits the turf in despair PIC: WILLIE VASS Down and out: Celtic stars Loovens and Samaras feel the pain of Ibrox defeat Riding high: Jubilant Gers stars mob Davis as his vital goal sends them back to the top of the table