Rangers vs. Celtic: Carlos Bocanegra and Co. Won't Be Able to Stop Gary Hooper

Rangers and Celtic renew their old Scottish Premier League rivalry at Ibrox Stadium on Sunday, and the end result will be much like their December matchup: a Rangers loss.

That's because Gary Hooper and the Hoops have enough on the offensive side of the ball to get past Carlos Bocanegra and Co.

Both teams come into the battle with bruises already. Rangers has lost its last two games, while Celtic was just shocked in the Scottish Communities Cup final by seventh place Kilmarnock.

But Hooper is the X-factor for the Hoops, as he has been all season long. The 24-year-old striker leads the SPL with 16 goals along with six assists in his second season with Celtic. Granted, Hooper hasn't scored a goal or registered an assist in three straight games, but that only means he's due. A player of his caliber doesn't stay silent for very long.

But it's not just Hooper, of course. Celtic as a whole has scored an SPL-best 62 goals this season. Anthony Stokes, James Forrest, Joe Ledley and Ki Sung-Yueng have all contributed to the Hoops' offensive attack. Celtic scored four goals against Dundee United just two matches ago.

Rangers will have to be on top of its game defensively to beat Celtic on Sunday. Unfortunately for the Gers, they've allowed four goals in their last two matches against the likes of Hearts and Dundee United. They are going to have to play much better defensively to withstand Celtic's offensive pressure.

Celtic boss Neil Lennon has said the Hoops won't be overly exuberant if they win the title.

Lennon said, via ESPN:

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''The last thing we want to do is rub it in people's faces. We won't be there to gloat. We will be respectful of everyone at the stadium.''

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It's a good thing, because Celtic will have plenty to gloat about after Sunday's match.

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