Rangers manager Graeme Murty insists he will have no hesitation about throwing understudy goalkeeper Jak Alnwick into a derby baptism on Sunday.

Number one Wes Foderingham is set to miss the Celtic showdown with a shoulder complaint - meaning Murty will have to turn to former Port Vale stopper Alnwick.

The 24-year-old has yet to experience the powder-keg derby atmosphere and can expect to find Parkhead at fever pitch as the Hoops go in search of the win which will seal their seventh successive Premiership title.

But Murty has backed his man to handle the heat.

"Jak came in against Hearts last week and did himself no harm," Murty said. "It's a big step in his career progression to go and handle an Old Firm, particularly in the atmosphere we're going to experience this weekend.

Jak Alnwick in action against Hearts

"But I'm confident he can handle it. He's a confident character, a very high-quality goalkeeper as far as I can see.

"I'm confident that if he goes to play he will represent himself very well."

If the goalkeeping choice has been made for Murty, he faces a much tougher decision on who to start up front.

Alfredo Morelos leads Rangers ' scoring charts with 18 goals this term but the Colombian has been guilty of wasting crucial chances in all four of the Ibrox outfit's derby battles with Celtic so far this season.

Jason Cummings was handed his chance to impress last week against the Jambos and took it as he netted the opener in a 2-1 win.

Murty was giving little away over who would start but insists he has faith in both his marksmen.

Wes Foderingham is out injured

He said: "I've got some hungry players who are desperate to be involved. Alfredo is one and Jason is another.

"Jason came in against Hearts and was his usual pest to defenders and scored himself a goal.

"Jason certainly told me it was his best performance so far but no-one who played last week did their chances of featuring on Sunday any harm at all.

"Whoever gets the opportunity we are hopeful can go on and get us the rewards we want."

Rangers cannot afford to role over like they did at Hampden two weeks ago, when Brendan Rodgers' merciless Hoops dished out a 4-0 pasting.

But Murty - who has found a way to shut-out the champions-elect on his two previous visits to Celtic Park as Gers boss - has vowed his team will be better prepared for the fight this time.

Asked if he could take heart from Hibs' victory over Celtic last weekend, he said: "We have our own ideas on how we want to discomfort Celtic but certainly, I believe we are better on the front foot as a team, being aggressive and high pressing our opponents.

"We need to make sure we get that right and we put a complete performance in.

"Craig Gordon has made some brilliant saves against us at Celtic Park and I enjoy the atmosphere, I enjoy the way that we have played there previously when I've been there.

"The semi-final is the only time we haven't actually laid a glove on them and that still burns me.

"We've got an opportunity now, thankfully, to go and put that right and that's the mindset the players need to have."