Rangers urged to keep Boyd as Celtic challenge looms

Rangers midfielder Steven Davis has urged his club to ensure in-form striker Kris Boyd, currently in contract talks, remains at Ibrox beyond the January transfer window.

Boyd is on a hot streak having scored five goals in the midweek 7-1 crushing of Dundee United - a performance which saw him surpass former Celtic star Henrik Larsson as the all-time top goalscorer in the Scottish Premier League.

Last year Boyd was set to join Birmingham and more recently he has been linked with Newcastle, Trabzonspor and Kayserspor in Turkey and French club Sochaux.

"From the players' point of view we think it's vital that we keep hold of him," said Davis.

"I don't think there are many players who can guarantee you 20 goals-plus a season and Boydy's done that since I've been here.

"I think he's probably one of the most lethal finishers around and obviously we're desperate to keep him here."

Rangers visit city rivals Celtic in this season's second Old Firm derby at Parkhead this afternoon in a game Tony Mowbray's side can't afford to lose.

A win for Rangers would see them open a ten point lead over the Hoops at the top of the Scottish Premier League, albeit Celtic have played a game less, as the season reaches the half-way stage.

Boyd has netted just one goal against Celtic in his career so far but Davis added: "The way he's playing, if we can create the chances for him then nine times out of 10 he'll score. Hopefully, he can do that at Parkhead for us."

But the Gers will be missing Boyd's strike partner Kenny Miller after he lost his appeal on Thursday against a straight red card on Wednesday.

"Kenny's been playing magnificently for us and he's been one of our best players on the run we've been on and managed to get amongst the goals as well," said Davis.

"So he'll be a big miss for us. It gives the manager a little headache. Somebody else will come in and hopefully do a job for us."

Manager Walter Smith says that Boyd's form means he is likely to start for the first time in a match at Parkhead since the former returned to the club two years ago.

"Right at the present moment, the team is doing extremely well and I don't envisage a situation where you would go along there and play without him."

Aiding Boyd's case is the fact that Nacho Novo and Sasa Papac are suffering from a sickness bug and Madjid Bougherra is off to the African Nations Cup with Algeria, hence Ran-gers' firepower is severely depleted.

While Rangers and Celtic - 43 and 36 points under their belts to date - face off, third-placed Hibernian, four points further back, host Edinburgh rivals Hearts in today's other game.