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Former Rangers captain and manager Barry Ferguson believes the Scottish Premiership title race will "go to the wire" but is "confident" of Old Firm victory over Celtic on Sunday.
Rangers hold a two-point advantage over their Glasgow rivals having played a game more before meeting at Ibrox, the penultimate league derby of the season.
Danny Rohl's men trail leaders Hearts - who play Aberdeen on Saturday - by four points with 10 games remaining and are searching for consecutive wins over Celtic.
"You've got to respect your opponent, and respect the manager," Ferguson told BBC Scotland.
"He [Martin O'Neill] knows football inside out and I still believe they have really good players.
"But they are coming to our home patch and they want to come and put a dent in Rangers' title hopes. Rangers have to think that way as well.
"I'm confident in Rangers at home at this moment in time, with the fans behind them. If they produce the standards I expect then it could be a good Sunday for the Rangers supporters."
Rangers, who triumphed 3-1 at Celtic Park in early January, have won their past seven league games at Ibrox.
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Ferguson took charge of Rangers in February last year after the sacking of Philippe Clement until the end of the season.
Russell Martin was ultimately handed the reins in the summer before a dreadful start to the season lead to the appointment of current manager Rohl.
Ferguson, 48, says he has been very impressed with Rohl's work since October in dragging Rangers into a tense title race, having trailed Hearts by 13 points at one stage.
Asked who he thinks will finish on top, Ferguson said: "I'm not going to be over confident but I'm going to back my team. I believe it's going to go to the wire.
"And it's not just about Rangers, Hearts, and Celtic. I thoroughly believe Motherwell are in it, and will have a big say."