As one of the few survivors of the trophy laden years at Ibrox as Rangers surged to their record-equalling nine-in-a-row title run, Craig Moore is in a strong position to assess the threat that Celtic provide this season to his own team's title ambitions.

The Australian defender, who has now spent seven years as a Rangers player, interrupted by a brief spell in England at Crystal Palace, is enjoying his own best season at the club. He has flourished under Dick Advocaat's regime and gained in confidence from playing regularly in what he considers to be his best position, at the heart of the defence.

He knows, however, that the challenge the club faces this year is more intense than ever. He said: ''I think both ourselves and Celtic have been progressing, and I believe that this current Celtic side is the best I have known in my time as a Rangers player.

''We have brought in quality players, but they have been doing the same and they will have the Brazilian, Rafael, when they start back. It will make retaining the title very difficult.

''If we play at our best then we should not slip up but football can always throw up surprises. For example, we lost to Dundee and Celtic have also dropped points when they were expected to win.

''It will probably be the same in the second half of the season when we get back into the championship after the winter break.''

Moore is an international team-mate of Parkhead striker Mark Viduka and, indeed, they both attended the prestigious Sports Institute in Canberra when they were both teenagers. Said Moore: ''Mark is a very good player and a real threat. I have known him since we were together at the Institute in Canberra and what you see is what you get from Mark. He is big, strong, and honest but also has tremendous skill.

''There are a few other Celtic players I admire. Alan Stubbs is a rock in the middle of the defence, really solid, then you have Lubo-mir Moravcik and Eyal Berkovic. The way these two play together makes it a problem to keep them pinned down.

''Celtic use a formation which no other team uses and it means they both have free roles in midfield and, when players are as skilful as they are, it becomes a worry for the opposition.''

Moore believes his own run of fine form has stemmed from playing regularly in the first team. He pointed out: ''In other seasons, I was in and out of the team and wasn't always playing in the centre of the defence, which is where I prefer to be.

''This year, I have been in the team all the time and when that happens, you tend to grow in confidence. Also, I am more experienced now and my timing of tackles and my reading of the game has improved over the years.

''It does not seem seven years, but it is, and I am very happy that the coach, Dick Advocaat, and the chairman, David Murray, brought me back from England and gave me this second chance with Rangers. It could not have worked out any better for me.''

The only situation that slightly clouds his future is the club versus country disagreement which may cause him to be absent from first-team duty at Ibrox more often that Advocaat might like.

However, Moore has made his own moves to defuse that issue as he explained: ''I have a good relationship with Australian national coach Frank Farina and I have talked things over with him.

''He can see that there will be times when Rangers are going to be involved in important matches and he may not call on myself or Tony Vidmar for internationals if there is a clash of dates.

''Obviously, though, I will be wanted for World Cup games, but Australia are trying to arrange for their qualifying games to be played at the same time as international dates in Europe.

''If they can work from the same calendar then, yes, we would have problems with the amount of travelling we would have to do, but we would miss a minimum of games for the club.

''So long as we keep talking then it is always possible to come to an understanding. That is what we're attempting to do because I want to play as often as I can for my country. Every player does.''

At the moment, Australia are set to meet Hungary in an inter- national in the same midweek as the rearranged Old Firm league match and there is a tournament in Chile involving the host country and the Czech Republic in February. It is designed to give the Australians experience of playing in South America as one of their qualifying matches prior to the World Cup Finals will be against a team from that part of the world.

Moore believes that he will be excused international duty for that tournament but his main concern will be when the World Cup games kick off.

Meanwhile, Gabriel Amato last night thanked the Rangers fans as he completed his #3.75m move to Gremio. The Argentinian sealed his three-year deal with the Brazilian outfit and said: ''My experience in Scotland was unforgettable.

''I will never forget the Rangers support, who made me feel so welcome right from the start. Sadly, I wasn't there for as long as I expected, but that is football. I now have to concentrate 100 per cent on Gremio's progress.

''I must also say I am grateful to Dick Advocaat for giving me the opportunity to play for Rangers and also experience games against Celtic. Those were wonderful occasions and rank alongside Boca Juniors and River Plate encounters.''