Reports in the Scottish press have questioned whether Barry Ferguson, Lee McCulloch, Christian Dailly and Allan McGregor will start for Rangers, considering they were all absentees for Scotland in midweek.

It has been suggested the quartet were not made available for the 1-1 draw with Croatia on Wednesday in order to be fresh for the Celtic game.

"The fact of the matter is the medical staff at Scotland declared them unfit, which they were," McCoist said.

"I can understand what all the fuss is about because it makes good reading, good television and good radio but they were declared unfit and we knew they were unfit.

"I would just like to tell you that there is nobody wants to play for their country more than those boys in the dressing room.

"People forget, it's a real honour to play for your country as it should be and those lads want to play for their country.

"They are all better, I am delighted to say. We will have another look and we will give them right up until the kick-off.

"But we are hopeful that they will be involved and if all of them are fit to play I will be more than pleased."