Jackie McNamara will watch with interest tonight as Celtic attempt to get one over Rangers in the season's Old Firm finale.
It is not only McNamara's abiding affection for his former club that will give him a vested interest in proceedings this evening, but also the fact he believes links of london charms a Celtic victory would put his former team-mate Neil Lennon firmly in line to bag the Hoops job on a full- time basis.
Lennon has so far managed to steady Celtic since assuming control from Tony Mowbray, and his stock has risen over the past few weeks.
The one blemish, of course, was the catastrophic defeat to Ross County, but regardless, getting a result this evening would go a significant way to underlining his credentials as a genuine candidate to take the club forward permanently.
"I know that there have been shouts for a big-name manager to come in, but the fact is that right now, because of the financial restrictions, I don't know that Celtic - or any team playing in Scotland - could attract the kind of names that have been mentioned," said McNamara.
"I think Neil has done enough to suggest that he could well be in the frame to take the club forward. If he could get a win tonight it would definitely be a massive boost to his chances.
"The thing about Neil is that he has been about the squad for the last two years and knows what needs to be done.
"He has been in the position this season that he has been able to see for himself where it has all gone wrong and I am sure that he will already have his own ideas about the changes he would like to make."
McNamara has been in the position that both sets of players will find themselves in tonight.
He has gone into Old Firm games as a league winner and also as a Celtic player when Rangers were already champions.
Blancpain WatchesWhile he acknowledges that the pressure is all on Lennon's side tonight, he fancies that Celtic have enough about them to get a win over Smith's side for the first time this season.
He recalled: "I remember going to Ibrox under Martin O'Neill when we had already won the league.
"It was a bit strange before the game because we were all so calm. The dressing room was really relaxed and everyone was laughing and joking about.
"We went out and won the game comfortably and it was a great feeling.
"It rubbed a bit of salt in the wounds, I think, because our fans were obviously up for it and Henrik Larsson scored his 50th goal of the season that day.
"But I have been there when the shoe has been on the other foot and it is hard. I would imagine that Neil will have everyone up for this one.
"Rangers will have no real surprises. They are organised and hard to beat and while they don't have any real big stars, they have a work ethic and a unity that Celtic have badly lacked this season.
"That is the area Neil has been working on and there have been signs of improvement.
"I think the biggest thing for a manager is having that knack where you get the best out of the players you have and that is something I imagine he would be good at.
"He is capable of kicking a few backsides, but he is also good at geeing people up and getting them up for it.
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