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By Andrew Dickson THE leading scorer of Rangers goals in Old Firm games, it was in the derbies against Celtic that Ally McCoist made his name as a Light Blues legend. Now he feels Kris Boyd is ready to follow in his footsteps as the prolific striker looks to fire the Ibrox outfit to a win against their biggest rivals this weekend. Ally McCoist and Kris Boyd in trainingThis season has been the former Kilmarnock man's best since he made the short move from Rugby Park in January 2006. Having taken his tally for the club into three figures when he notched his 100th Gers goal against St Mirren last month, he now stands on 30 for the campaign. It's a good return from the prolific striker and while many have come to expect that sort of thing from him, there's still a lot of satisfaction to be taken from what he has done. Boyd has undoubtedly become a more rounded player in recent months, progressing from the lazy, immobile forward many looked upon him as previously. Now showing more intelligence and a greater work ethic, he is one of the most valuable members of Walter Smith's squad. One of the criticisms that still hang over Boyd's head is his lack of goals against Celtic. In 18 career appearances against them, he has just one to his credit. The second anniversary of that sole counter was yesterday and it goes without saying that he's keen to end the drought on Saturday. Ally McCoist talks to Kris Boyd in trainingThere's nobody better for Boyd to learn from than McCoist, someone who struck competitively on 27 occasions against the Parkhead side for Rangers over 15 years. Smith's deputy has heard all of the theories on the Ibrox number nine and knows he's one of those players people either love or hate. But the one thing he insists nobody can dispute is his ability to score - and McCoist is convinced Boyd's got what it takes to see off Celtic. "Kris is a man with a lot of confidence at the moment and his total against Celtic is just a statistic," he said. "We all know Boydy can score against anybody. "He has scored at international level and in European competitions as well as in domestic games so there's no doubting what he can do. "I really hope this is a game that is set up for him. When you look at strikers and some of the things that are written in stars for them, I hope this is one of them. "Kris has a terrific season and it was a wonderful achievement for him to reach 100 goals for the club recently. Ally McCoist shouts orders to Kris Boyd during a game"So early in his Rangers career, I hope it's the first hundred of many and you never know what could happen. I certainly wish him luck with that. "People earn their luck and if Boydy were to get the winner this weekend against Celtic, nobody would be more pleased about it than me. I include Kris in that. " Boyd has been in a situation similar to this one before and back in December, he was given his chance to shine in the derby at Ibrox. Going into the game, he had 18 goals in as many matches under his belt including hat-tricks against Inverness and Hamilton. But when his opportunity to strike against Celtic came, Artur Boruc saved his shot just after half-time and Scott McDonald's effort later ensured the visitors won 1-0. This time Boyd has six goals from his last six appearances and he's one of the most in-form players in the country. While he didn't make the most of his opportunity just over four months ago, McCoist thinks he can this time and added: "This could be a second chance for him in that respect. Kris Boyd"Back in December, Barry Ferguson played a good ball through to Kris and, after he took a touch, the keeper saved his shot. That happens. "He would have been disappointed to miss that chance but that's got nothing to do with the situation we're in now. "Kris needed to get his head up and move on at the end of last year and he did that. He has scored some great goals between then and now. "He's obviously forgotten about that miss, just as we have. There's no use in looking back at it because it doesn't make any difference now. "If Kris has a chance to score on Sunday, I'd definitely have my money on him to do it because one thing he won't be worrying about is chances he's missed in games gone by."

KYLE LAFFERTY is expecting a tough match when Celtic come calling on Saturday, but the Northern Ireland man is desperate to play his part in what he describes as the biggest game of the season. Kyle Lafferty celebrates scoring against HeartsThe 21-year-old returned to the top team as a substitute against Hearts last weekend and is now battling for a place in Walter Smith's starting eleven for this weekend's title showdown. Lafferty has yet to come out of an Old Firm meeting on the winning side, having missed the 4-2 victory in August, but he says the squad have been unlucky in recent matches with their rivals. He said: "It's going to be a hard game because Celtic are a good team but I think if we go about it in the right manner we'll be ok. "We have to have the heart for this game because it's one of the biggest of the season. Top spot is up for grabs and everybody is looking forward to it. "I think in most of the games this season we have had our fair share of the ball and have caused them some problems. "But in games like this one a team can go out and play like that and not get the win. That can happen and then maybe you don't play at your best but nick one. Kyle Lafferty"It can come down to which team has more heart and more determination, so it should be an interesting one." The young forward has fared well personally in his Old Firm battles, having been handed a lone striker's role at Parkhead and made life difficult for Andreas Hinkel in the League Cup final. Now he his hoping to leave the collective disappointment of that game behind him - by hitting the net against Celtic and firing Rangers toward the SPL title. He added: "No disrespect to the cup, but I think it's obvious that everyone wants to win the league title so I think this one is massive - by far the biggest game of the season for us. Kyle Lafferty celebrates his goal against Hearts"There's a lot at stake but whoever loses won't be finished for the season. After the Old Firm game there are three very tough games for both sides so there could be a few twists still to come in the league. "Personally I've just enjoyed being out there. Everyone wants to play against the best teams and Celtic are one of the best in the league and as a young player I just want to experience that again. "It was good to play up front too and it was a real boost that the gaffer gave me that role and showed he had confidence in me to play that position. "If I get the same chance again I just have to give it my all and hopefully come out on the winning side this time. "Hopefully I can get myself back in there and get the goals that will win us the title."

RICHARD GOUGH insists the destination of the SPL title will not be decided if there is a winner in Saturday's crucial Old Firm derby. He knows that if there is an outright winner it will give them a massive boost in their pursuit of the crown. A win for Rangers would give them a two point lead with three games to while a Celtic victory would take them four clear. However, former Ibrox skipper Gough knows from his own experience that strange things can happen. Gough, back in Scotland to promote Setanta's coverage of Saturday's match along with former Celt Derek Whyte, was trying to lead Rangers to 10 in a row in 1998 when he was stopped in his tracks. And four years ago Celtic won the final Old Firm derby of the season and looked odds on but lost two of their final four matches, famously crashing at Fir Park on the final day which allowed Rangers to win the flag. Goigh said: "If one team wins the game it will put them in a very strong position but that is not to say the League would be done and dusted. "Looking back I remember the 1997/98 season when with about four games to go we beat Celtic and Jonas Thern scored a great goal and we thought we were on our way, "But we lost at home to Kilmarnock and dropped other points and it didn't happen for us. "So it doesn't necessarily mean it's wrapped up if either team wins on Saturday but they would put themselves in a great position."

May 6 2009 By Keith Jackson RANGERS are set to go to war with SPL bosses over a fixture row for the second season on the trot as the race for the title goes down to the wire. Record Sport understands the Ibrox club's hierarchy are seething over what they regard as the "grossly unfair" rescheduling of the third and fourth rounds of post-split matches - switches which will give Celtic's players an extra TWO DAYS resting time between games. And their anger was intensified yesterday when it was announced that manager Walter Smith's 'favourite' linesman Tom Murphy will be running the line for referee Craig Thomson at this Saturday's Judgment Day Old Firm derby. Smith launched an astonishing attack on Murphy in November after the official's offside decision denied Kris Boyd a late winner in a 0-0 draw at Fir Park. The Rangers boss was asked to explain his comments to the SFA after saying on the night: "It was a poor decision by the linesman. I think the TV replays show quite clearly that Kris was onside. "Mr Murphy was quick to allow a Scott McDonald goal at Celtic Park last season. And he was quick to disallow that one tonight. "And people always say we are the club who never get any decisions against us! "But that's two goals we have scored this season at Aberdeen and Motherwell that the linesmen have got wrong." Now Murphy will be under the spotlight again for the match which might decide the destiny of this year's title fight. But while Rangers are in no position to complain about Murphy's appointment, they HAVE contacted the league's top brass to demand an explanation as to why they have been forced into playing two crucial matches in the space of two and a half days next week. The simmering resentment comes 12 months after Smith blamed the SPL for wrecking his chances of a historic UEFA Cup triumph AND domestic title glory by forcing his men to play four games in eight days in an exhausting season finale. Now Rangers are furious again as they slug it out with Celtic once more. An SPL source confirmed to Record Sport last night that the Ibrox club's chief executive Martin Bain has expressed his outrage over the decision to make Rangers travel to face Hibs next Wednesday night - then have them back in action against Aberdeen little more than 60 hours later on Saturday lunchtime. Celtic, meanwhile, take on Dundee United at Parkhead on Tuesday night - but the champions will then have over 100 hours rest before they are next in action at Easter Road. Our source said: "Rangers are clearly unhappy about the way the games have been rescheduled for TV. "They feel aggrieved because Celtic have an extra couple of days off between these matches but it's been explained that this is simply down to an oversight."

By Ronnie Cully and Thomas Jordan OLD FIRM sharpshooters Scott McDonald and Kris Boyd will walk a title suspension tightrope in this weekend's derby collision at Ibrox. Both hitmen are sitting on 15 disciplinary points and a yellow card would rule them out of the last day of the season fixtures on Sunday, May 24. Boyd has been under threat of a one-game ban since he was cautioned at St Mirren on April 8, but the 30-goal striker has so far managed to stay out of trouble. advertisement If, however, he is booked against Celtic then he would sit out Rangers trip to Dundee United on the last day. McDonald has accumulated points at a rapid rate in the past few weeks after referee Dougie McDonald cautioned him in the back-to-back games against Aberdeen at Parkhead on April 18 and again at Pittodrie last Saturday. Another booking on Saturday and the in-form Aussie would be missing when Hearts come to Parkhead on what could yet be a title-deciding day. Celtic skipper Stephen McManus - who is stuggling to recover in time to play at Ibrox after limping off with a knee injury at Pittodrie - is also on the 15-point mark and one booking away from a ban, but he is now unlikely to feature. Both managers were today beginning to piece together their teams ahead of what is a titanic encounter in terms of the destination of this season's title. Celtic are already without the suspended Scott Brown, but boss Gordon Strachan hopes to have Georgios Samaras and Barry Robson available to him. Rangers gaffer Walter Smith has been boosted by the news Sasa Papac is set to be fit after a knee problem. The Bosnian defender is likely to return at left-back, leaving Stevie Smith to add some bite and dig in a midfield roles in front of him. There is also a chance of Kirk Broadfoot making a surprise recovery from the foot problem that has side-lined for almost two months. Smith, who also welcomes centre-half Madjid Bougherra back from suspension after he sat out Sunday's 2-0 win over Hearts, said: "Sasa has a chance of being fit. "We thought he would be fit for the Hearts game, but just failed to make it so I imagine he'll be okay for the Old Firm game. "Kirk is also back in training this week, but whether he will be ready for the game or not we will have to wait and see. "It was also good to get Kyle Lafferty a run-out last weekend after five weeks out, so we have players coming back and that increases the options." http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/display.var.2506183.0.0.php

by Lindsay Herron SASA PAPAC is on course to return to the Rangers line-up for Saturday's Old Firm showdown. The Bosnian defender missed out on yesterday's 2-0 win over Hearts as a result of a knee injury but he should be fit take his place in the left back slot. Madjid Bougherra will also be back after his one-match suspension and Kirk Broadfoot could even be knocking at the door as he returns to top team training this week. With Kenny Miller and Kyle Lafferty already back in the squad, boss Walter Smith has considerably more options than he did a couple of weeks ago. Smith told rangers.co.uk: "Sasa has a chance of being fit. He has a knee injury. We thought he would be fit for the Hearts game but he just failed to make it so I imagine he would be OK for Saturday. "Kirk Broadfoot is also back in training this week but whether he will be ready for the game or not we will have to wait and see how he progresses."

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By Andrew Dickson MO EDU reckons today's clash with Hearts was perfect preparation for next week's Old Firm derby with Celtic at Ibrox. Rangers had to dig in for their 2-0 win over a Jambos side which was physical and moved the ball about well. Mo EduIndeed, it took grit rather than guile to see the Gorgie men off - and American midfielder Edu thinks it could be a similar story when Gordon Strachan's team comes calling. As such, he feels Walter Smith's men are ideally set up to handle the white hot atmosphere of a game which will have a big say in who wins the championship. Edu said: "It was a battle against Hearts and there were a lot of times where you never got a lot of opportunities to play football. They made the game hard for us. "I think we did well to cope with that, overcome it and come out with the win. That was really important. "Against Celtic next week, we're going to have to come out and deliver. We know what we're capable of and what kind of game it's going to be. "It might just end up being a battle too and we need to be prepared for anything. We'd obviously like to go and out play the way we can but it might not be like that. "In the end, we've just got to do what we can to win. You never know if it's going to be an attractive match or not but we'll be ready for whatever happens. Rangers players celebrate"We are having to cope with a lot of different styles of play at the moment but we're getting wins and that's the biggest thing for us. "Hopefully we can go into our next game and do whatever it takes again to come out with three points." Edu was quick to praise strikers Andrius Velicka and Kris Boyd, both of whom scored in the crucial victory against Csaba Laszlo's team. While Velicka's incredible run on his return from nowhere continues, Boyd took his tally for the season to an outstanding 30 goals. Edu added: "I'm happy that they're on my side. I'm really pleased for Vela because he has come in and made the most of his opportunity to play. "What else can you say about Kris Boyd? He's a goal scorer and both players have obviously been working very hard. "They're getting goals for us but they're tracking back and defending too so I'm happy overall with how they've been playing. They've added a lot to our side."

KENNY MILLER has backed Rangers strike partner Kris Boyd to exorcise his top-six demons and blast the Ibrox side to the SPL title. Hitman Boyd has smashed in 29 goals this season and clocked up a sensational century of strikes in 112 starts since he arrived from Kilmarnock in 2006. Yet his critics point to the fact that only four of his goals this season have come against teams in the top six and claim Boyd is only deadly against dud defences. But Miller believes his buddy is ready to blast that myth into oblivion by continuing this season's scoring spree against Rangers' rivals - with defending champions Celtic top of his hitlist at Ibrox on Saturday. Speaking exclusively to Sport of the World, Miller said: "It's the one thing Kris' critics throw in his face all the time, that he only scores against teams in the lower half of the league. "Well the last time I looked at the table, Hearts, Hibs, Aberdeen and Dundee United were in the top six and Kris has scored against all of them this season. He polarises opinion. You either love him or hate him "Celtic remain the one team he hasn't scored against this season, but the way he is playing at the moment, I'd back him to put that right when it matters most - at Ibrox. "To be honest I don't care who scores for us in that game, as long as it's a winner. "Neil Alexander or Allan McGregor can come up for a corner in injury time and nod one home and you won't hear any complaints from the strikers. "But to be honest, Kris could bang in a hat-trick in the Old Firm game and some people would still say: 'He doesn't do that very often'. "He's just that type of player. He polarises opinion. You either love him or hate him. There aren't too many who sit on the fence when it comes to giving an opinion on him. The thing is the criticism doesn't get to him. He really doesn't care what anyone else thinks. He just gets on with the job of scoring goals and lets his tally at the end of the season do the talking for him. "And remember, he's still only 25 and improving all the time. "At the start of the season people were harping on about his work-rate and saying he could put himself about more and get involved in the build-up play more. "Not even his harshest critic could claim he hasn't improved that side of his game this season. "He took what the manager and Ally McCoist said on board and he did something about it. Kenny Miller and Kris Boyd "That's why I believe he could be in for a very special end to the season because he's in form going into the home straight. "Can you imagine the boost it would give him if he could score against Hearts and then follow it up with a crucial goal in the Old Firm game? "That's the kind of impact goal which could turn the title race in our favour and Kris, fresh from scoring his 100th Rangers goal last week, is in the mood to get it." Miller knows better than anyone what it feels like to score for Gers in an Old Firm game, having helped himself to a precious double against the Hoops on his return to Celtic Park in August. He also appreciates how hard it is to score any SPL goals and has nothing but admiration for the way Boyd knocks them in week after week. Miller has bagged a dozen goals of his own this season, 17 less than goal-machine Boyd. He added: "People go on about this top-six, bottom-six split as though there is a massive difference in standard. "Obviously the best defenders tend to play for the teams at the top of the table, but when you play the teams at the other end of the league they are fighting for their lives. They pack their defences and try desperately to give nothing away, so it's always tough. God help any defender who gives him an inch in there "With the possible exception of Celtic, everyone defends in numbers against us. It's our job to find a way through that, though, and no one in the SPL is better at that than Kris Boyd. "So to suggest that he won't score in our last five SPL matches is just crazy. I doubt Kris has gone five games in his entire life without scoring! "He's bang on form and his game is always the same. He comes alive in the box like no other striker I know. "That's his domain and God help any defender who gives him an inch in there. "The most frustrating game we've played this season was at home to Hibs just before Christmas. "They packed their defence and set themselves out to make it virtually impossible to find a way through. It was like coming up against a brick wall. "They played two centre-halves in the middle of the park, then had a back four behind them and their two wide players in midfield also doubled back to help out their full-backs. "It was as tight a defence as we've been up against. It was like a European tie and no one could find any space. Then Boydy popped up after an hour to score the only goal of the game. "That's all he needs - just one chance and he can bury you. "Even at international level he scored seven goals in 15 appearances for Scotland, and you certainly don't play against any dud defenders at international level. But Kris knows he is always going to be knocked for the way he plays. "I just get the impression he knows he has a huge part to play in this title run-in and he knows he can really stuff a lot of words back down people's throats by coming up with the goods in our final five SPL games. "Can you imagine the lift he would give himself and the whole team if he does score against Celtic next week, with just three league games to go? It might not make Kris Boyd's season - but it could break Celtic's. "That's the kind of momentum he could then carry all the way to the Scottish Cup Final and I suspect there really would be no stopping him then. "It would be the biggest two fingers up to his critics ever, but we'd better not go there." http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/scottish/scottish_sport/287687/Kris-is-a-ghostbuster-Kenny-Miller-Kris-Boyd-Rangers.html

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By Andrew Dickson POLL Rangers fans for their favourite moment supporting the club and some obvious choices will crop up. The Cup Winners' Cup victory against Dynamo Moscow in 1972 is one, the night Nine in a Row was clinched at Tannadice a quarter of a century later another. Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Sergio Porrini celebrate at the final whistleSo too is the day the Light Blues went to Parkhead and won their 48th league title with an emphatic 3-0 win over Celtic in Dick Advocaat's first season as manager at Ibrox. It's hard to believe that this today it is exactly 10 years since Neil McCann's double and a Jorg Albertz penalty led to that dramatic victory. For most Gers supporters, memories of the day remain as vivid now as they were in the weeks that followed their team's remarkable triumph. Scheduled to start at 6.05pm so that it could be broadcast live by Sky Sports, a lot of people reflect on what unfolded over the next 90 minutes for the wrong reasons. Generally regarded - maybe even accepted - as Scotland's shame game, it was a match in which referee Hugh Dallas was struck by a coin and several home fans invaded the pitch. Three players were also sent off and a man fell from the second tier of the Jock Stein Stand as many of those in attendance let the occasion get the better of them. Yet as it was, the visiting Light Blues support's behaviour wasn't in question and the club's only blemish back then was Rod Wallace's red card four minutes from full time. Rangers fans celebrate winning the league at ParkheadIt consequently goes down as one of Rangers' greatest Old Firm victories and on the day they claimed their 100th derby success, taking the title too made it so much sweeter. A decade on, the SPL's decision not to have such a match deciding the outcome of the championship again - a ruling made in the aftermath - stands firm. That's why Rangers and Celtic will meet for the final time this term on May 9 - a date when it's impossible for either team to win the league on the day - rather than later on. There's something sad about that when you consider the side that came out on top in 1999 played little part in the shameful scenes witnessed at Parkhead. For everyone with Ibrox connections, the way Gers took their Glasgow rivals on in Advocaat's debut season and won on their own patch is to be celebrated. The Little General's men were the better team on the day and better over the course of the season as they went on to take the silverware by six points. Jorg Albertz celebratesNeil McCann gave Rangers an early lead on 13 minutes when he poked in Wallace's low, fast cross after he had been released by Giovanni van Bronckhorst. And Albertz made it 2-0 from the spot on the stroke of half-time to spark bedlam at both ends, given Dallas had been treated after being hit on the head by a coin seconds earlier. It says much about the former official that he called every major decision in the game correctly, including Vidar Riseth's foul on Tony Vidmar that led to the penalty. It may say more about Albertz that of the 76 goals he scored for the club, his finish in the city's east end was one of his coolest as he sent keeper Stewart Kerr the wrong way. "It wasn't hard for me to concentrate on the penalty because I liked making decisions like that on the park," the German said. Jorg Albertz and Giovanni van Bronckhorst celebrate the German's penalty making it 2-0"I knew that if I missed we would probably have allowed Celtic back into the game but I was strong enough mentally to cope. "In fact, I was looking forward to taking the kick. It was probably the most important one of my career because of what was at stake. "It was the best atmosphere I've ever played in that day at Parkhead but it was also the most dangerous. "It was only one or two idiots who ran on to the pitch to take a swipe at Dallas and in hindsight it could have been a lot worse had others decided to charge on. "You get nervous when you see people running on to the park but the majority of fans would never think of doing that. "You always get abuse from fans when you go away but that's part of the game - it's more serious when people start trying to attack the referee. "Dallas deserved a lot of respect for how he handled the situation as it was all going off around him when he awarded us the penalty. "When you watched the game back on television later, you saw that every call he made proved to be right." Neil McCann scores his second goal and Rangers' thirdMcCann - now at Falkirk - ensured Gers would be crowned champions when he slotted in the clincher 15 minutes from full-time. Moved inside to support Gabriel Amato up front, Advocaat's decision to give the little winger a slightly different role was a masterstroke as it paid off handsomely. Substitute Jonatan Johansson threaded him in on goal with a cute touch and McCann rounded Kerr to slot into the empty net. But his run took him straight in the direction of seething Celtic fans as he celebrated and it goes without saying that he was quick to veer away from them again. McCann said: "I knew as soon as I had scored the third we were champions but I was also conscious of what was going on around me. "I didn't want to cause a riot with my celebrations and my momentum was carrying me towards the Celtic fans so I had to slam the brakes on pretty quickly. "As I changed direction and I started to run towards the Rangers fans, I definitely let myself go a little bit more but that's not surprising. Neil McCann celebrates his second goal and Rangers' third"Scoring the goal that clinched the championship was a great honour and it is something I will never forget. It was a great feeling. "I was delighted with both goals because I was just looking for us to win the game and to score twice was out of this world. "The first was very special for me because it put us in a very good position and set the ball rolling. "But my second was my favourite because I knew that as soon as I had rounded the keeper we had won the championship." Of course, the shameful incidents at Parkhead 10 years ago weren't on the same scale as some of the troubles at previous Old Firm games. Exactly 100 years back, for example, fans of both sides rioted for four hours when it was decided extra-time would not be played in a Scottish Cup final replay between the clubs. As the trophy was withheld, troublemakers tore down barricades, lit fires and fought with police and it was a similar story in running battles after the 1980 final at Hampden. Rod Wallace and Jonatan Johansson congratulate Neil McCann on his second goalWhat happened in 1999 has still left a lasting impression though and from Gers' point of view, it was for keeping their heads when others were losing theirs. "It was an incredible match and the whole experience is something I'll never forget," McCann added. "It was the most amazing atmosphere I've ever played in. "I thought it was all going to boil over when Dallas was hit by a coin and a couple of fans started to stream on to the pitch. "I think we were all a bit scared as we thought about the consequences but we had to retain our concentration and just get on with the game. "The majority of the players involved managed to keep their cool but there were a few who lost it. "I didn't understand some of the Celtic players who lost the place because they must have known what was at stake for their club. "Probably the pressure and atmosphere on the night got to them but I was pleased we held it together and I think we deserved our win. "To go there and win the championship was obviously very special for everyone involved with Rangers." For Advocaat, claiming his first title in Scotland gave him the second part of what was to become a magnificent Treble. Lorenzo Amoruso celebrates at the final whistleThe sixth in the club's history, it was completed when Wallace's strike gave Rangers a single-goal Old Firm victory in the Scottish Cup final four weeks later. Advocaat went on to win the league and Scottish Cup again before stepping aside and making way for Alex McLeish to take his place in the hot seat in December 2001. His first campaign was undoubtedly his best at the Ibrox helm and even he couldn't have imagined it going so well. Advocaat said: "It was a big occasion for the Rangers fans to win that game against Celtic and we were very proud to have done that for them. "I was absolutely delighted with the way we both played and controlled ourselves. I think we deserved the championship over the course of that season. "We lost the first game then went top after the third match and from then on we stayed there. We deserved a lot of credit for that. "When you look at what we did in Europe and our triumphs in the championship, Scottish Cup and the League Cup, I don't think it could have gone any better. "I'm a person who likes to win and that year was a good one for me. What we achieved in that season exceeded my expectations."

STEVIE SMITH believes that Rangers now have a winning mentality that will be vital in the SPL title run-in. Steven SmithThe 23-year-old has been impressed with the way his side have battled through adversity to win their last five games in the league and Scottish Cup. Injuries have mounted in recent weeks and Madjid Bougherra will now miss Sunday's crucial showdown with Hearts at Ibrox due to suspension. Walter Smith has had to use utilise his entire squad in games leading up to the split but Stevie is confident whoever steps in to replace his Algerian teammate will give 100 per cent for the cause. He said: "I think the team will go in to the match on Sunday with confidence regardless of who is playing. "In the past four or five games now the boys have shown a determination to win football matches and that has been so important. "Hearts came to Ibrox the last time and sneaked a 2-2 draw but that was a game I thought we played well in, especially in the first-half. "But this weekend's game is a must win situation for us regardless of the result between Celtic and Aberdeen and we will be fully focused on the job. "Everybody always wants to play well and put in a good performance and that would be great on Sunday if we can do that. "But getting three more points is all that matters and if it is a scrappy 1-0 victory I would take that ahead of next week's Old Firm game. Steven Smith in action against Motherwell "We are without Madjid which is a blow; he is a big presence at the back and I think he has been brilliant for us this season. "He wins the ball in the air and can cover a lot of ground with his pace. "He will be a loss but we have players that can come in and whoever takes his place will give everything to help the team. "We have big Lee back in the squad who can fill in and Christian is there as well. "He can play in almost every position; he is a fit guy and has experience of playing in big games. He can come in and handle that no problem at all." Stevie hopes that Rangers can get off to a good start on Sunday and believes his side have the firepower to shoot down Csaba Laszlo's men. He added: "I think we need to start well and get the fans on our side, they will play a big part in the next couple of weeks. "An early goal would be great to settle any nerves but if we don't manage to do that we know we have the players at any stage of a match that can hit the net. "Boydy has been brilliant in recent weeks and if we get the ball to him there is always a chance he will put it away. "But it's great that both Andrius and Kenny scored against St. Miren last week and they will be confident that they can also score given the chance."

Rangers manager Walter Smith says both Old Firm clubs would challenge the top four in England if they played in the Premier League. More...

KENNY MILLER has ordered Celtic to quit moaning about the post-split fixture list and rapped: Stop being so PETTY. Hoops chief executive Peter Lawwell is raging with a schedule that sees Rangers play Hearts at Ibrox on Sunday for the third time this season. Lawwell has fired off a letter of complaint to SPL bosses demanding answers. But ex-Hoops ace Miller blasted back: ââ?¬Å?I donââ?¬â?¢t remember anyone complaining too loudly last year when Rangers had a massive fixture pile-up. The lads in our dressing room feel that certainly didnââ?¬â?¢t help in the league. ââ?¬Å?If this is the way it stands then thatââ?¬â?¢s it, but people are being very disrespectful. ââ?¬Å?Hearts aside ââ?¬â? who have got a draw against us at Ibrox already this season ââ?¬â? we have to go back to Easter Road for a third time. ââ?¬Å?The way people are going on about it, you would think we are going to play Hibs believing weââ?¬â?¢ll take all three points and that will be that. ââ?¬Å?We just have to get on with it, but I think some of the complaining that has been done about the fixture list is just petty when you take into consideration some of the things that Rangers had to put up with last year.ââ?¬Â Miller, though, insists Rangers must take a leaf out of Celticââ?¬â?¢s book if they are to win the title. The Parkhead side clinched three in a row last season by winning their final seven games. And Miller added: ââ?¬Å?We want to hit form at the right time and a winning run can do wonders for you. ââ?¬Å?Last year Celtic managed to get their head down and they won seven games at the end of the season. ââ?¬Å?But thatââ?¬â?¢s what we believe we are capable of doing this year. ââ?¬Å?We feel as though we are on a good run and when that happens you feel confident going into every match. ââ?¬Å?We believe ourselves to be capable of pushing on from here. There is no reason why we canââ?¬â?¢t win both the SPL and the Scottish Cup.ââ?¬Â But Miller insists NOTHING will be decided in the May 9 Old Firm clash at Ibrox. He said: ââ?¬Å?We have all seen over the course of this season that both ourselves and Celtic have dropped points both home and away. ââ?¬Å?Winning the league will come down to who is the most consistent side between now and the end of May. ââ?¬Å?The Old Firm game will have a bearing, but there would be no point in winning that one and then dropping points in your next match.ââ?¬Â http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/article2405763.ece

ANDY Webster could be the latest player to step out of the shadows and play a part in the championship run-in for Rangers this weekend. The former Hearts and Scotland central defender successfully continued his rehabilitation from his latest injury problem when he played the full 90 minutes of yesterday's Old Firm reserve derby at Ibrox. Webster has not made a single first team appearance for Rangers this season and started just two matches during a loan spell at Bristol City, but assistant manager Ally McCoist last week hinted he could be involved in the closing weeks of the campaign. Rangers have been hampered in recent weeks by injuries to defenders Kirk Broadfoot and Sasa Papac, while Madjid Bougherra is suspended for Sunday's first post-split SPL fixture against Hearts at Ibrox. Webster is now a candidate to replace Bougherra as David Weir's central defensive partner, according to Rangers reserve team coach Tommy Wilson: "Andy has played for the last two months or so in the reserves, and he is now looking more like the player I remember playing for Hearts and Scotland. "He is fitter, stronger and has got over the injury issues he had. The function of the reserve team is to facilitate the first team, and that's what we have done in recent weeks with Christian Dailly, Andrius Velika and Stevie Smith making a contribution in the SPL title race and Scottish Cup." Steven Naismith added to Rangers' injury concerns yesterday when he limped out of the 1-0 defeat to Celtic with a calf problem after 55 minutes. Despite his disappointment at seeing Celtic clinch the reserve title at Ibrox, Wilson praised his squad for their efforts this season. "With so many of our players going out on loan, this season has exceeded my expectations," he said. "Celtic devote a lot of resources to their reserve team, so for us to challenge them for so long is a credit to the players here. "This was our toughest game of the season and it couldn't have come at a worse time, coinciding with the Youth Cup final on Wednesday night and an injury crisis at the club. "We took the decision to leave out most of the under-19 squad, as the final at Hampden against Hibs is the showcase for Scottish youth football. So we had seven under-17s in our squad today, and three of the back four were making their first starts for the reserve team. It's not nice for us to see Celtic celebrating at Ibrox, but they have not won the reserve league title so often for nothing." Published Date: 29 April 2009 http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/sport/Forgotten-man-Webster-primed-to.5214801.jp

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill says the English Premier League would be enhanced by the inclusion of former club Celtic and Rangers. More...

How the hell can they justify wanting a 50/50 split when there home gate is only about 3000 and 5000 supporters and thats the away support included ie old firm, where have their suppoters been and when they reach a cup final they all come out of the wood work, i say forget giving them the tickets as we had the majority of the seats on saturday against st mirren, im ready for the :box:

RANGERS Reserves will be doing everything in their power to stop rivals Celtic clinching an eighth consecutive SPL title at Ibrox this afternoon. Willie McStay's side are currently six points clear at the top with a game in-hand and will be crowned champions if they avoid defeat . The biggest challenge facing Tommy Wilson today will be naming his starting eleven as the first-team squad is already stretched going in to the split and the club's under-19s face Hibs in the final of the SFA Youth Cup tomorrow night. Steven Naismith, Andy Webster, Aaron, John Fleck and Graeme Smith are all expected to feature alongside under-21 stars including Andrew Little and Steven Lennon. Today's Old Firm showdown will kick-off at 2pm. Entry to the match is via East Enclosure turnstiles (26 and 27) only and turnstiles will be open from 1pm. Season ticket holders can take in this game for free on production of their smartcard at turnstile 26. Non season ticket holders can also come along to cheer on the Reserves - kids go free and adults can watch the game for just �£5 - simply turn up on the day and pay at East Enclosure turnstile 27 (cash only). There will be free parking in the Albion car park adjacent to the stadium.

I know we cannot afford to look past the cup Semi final nor the first post split fixture with Hearts, but with the importance of the league title this year and the winner of the final Old Firm likely to go on and secure the title I am really concerned about the midfield. In goals Alexander or McGregor are decent keepers. As long as Boogie is fit we should be solid at the back with Weir his partner and fullbacks from Dailly, Broadfoot, Whittaker and Papac. Upfront Lafferty could be back, Velicka has found a goalscoring touch, Boyd has been doing it most the season and Miller should be fit again. In midfield however, Davis has not played well in a long time. Mendes is hot and cold. The odd nice flick or pass cannot mask a mostly ineffective and anonymous 90-minutes. Edu has filled in with Fergie suspended then McCulloch injured. Over the past few games he has been our best midfielder. But he had only spent about a year as a pro in the MLS prior to coming to Ibrox and I would not be confident if he was our biggest performer going into the final Old Firm. He lacks the experience for such a tempestuous game. Winning the midfield battle would allow us to dominate possession, dominate the match and have the greatest chance of victory if the strikers do their bit. Left mid barely merits a mention. We all know we just cannot fill this position. Smith adds a bit of solidity as a full back out of position. But without a truly attack minded player we cannot exploit the weakness that is Hinkel. However with our central 2 potentially vulnerable a more solid player might be a good tactical decision. Unless of course we go for the negative 4-5-1 (I know it can be positive, just not the way we do it ). Fleck has done no worse than any other out there. But would it be a risk playing such a young lad in an enormous fixture? Beasley does not impress me at all. His strength is supposed to be his pace, but he never or rarely attacks his fullback. Most the other's who have played there have done so out of position and to limited success. The midfield battle in that game could be huge and I'm not afraid to admit that I worry about our midfield without the option of Ferguson's experience, class and ball retention. (Again, I know some might bring up stats about wins without him, however they don't take into account the hundreds of other variables). Hopefully Edu can continue his fine form. Mendes can replicate the performance of the 4-2 game, Davis can play like the seaoned Premiership and International footballer he is and whoever plays left can emulate his colleagues.

Forgotten Rangers man Andrius Velicka sets himself a double target as he strikes out for final glory Andrius Velicka is very keen to make up for lost time. The Lithuanian striker is determined to play his part in an engrossing title run-in and fancies helping Rangers to not just their first league title win in four years, but to the Home-coming Scottish Cup as well. A place in the final will be assured if Rangers can see off the threat of St Mirren at Hampden tomorrow and, if they do so, tongues will start to wag about the possibility of a league and cup double. St Mirren, of course, will feel that their shot at glory is equally near at hand. Gus MacPherson's side have already seen off Celtic in the competition and view tomorrow's game as one of the biggest of their season. Staying in the top flight is their ultimate aim, but a Scottish Cup Final party wouldn't be too bad either. Velicka, though, is determined to use the final weeks of the season to show Rangers just what he is capable of after being placed in cold storage for most of the season to date. The striker returned to Walter Smith's side for the 1-0 win at Falkirk this month, but it was the first sighting of him since he had featured in a 2-0 win over Hearts way back in August. It has been a difficult time for the striker, who has admitted the past eight months have been the most frustrating of his senior career. "It was a natural reaction because I had played so much football without a break," he said ruefully. "It has been very difficult for me because I started in the team and then all of a sudden I was injured. "All the games caught up with me physically, but now I feel that I can be like a fresh player for the manager. I have had a lot of time to recover my fitness and I feel I am hungry now. "It would be nice to get the chance to show the Rangers fans what I can do in these last months of the season because I don't think they have seen the best of me yet. "I believe that I can score goals, but I have to respect that there have been players doing that all season, so I will be patient. I do want to have a say in the title race because I think I can help Rangers to win the SPL and the Scottish Cup. It will be a hard game for us at Hampden tomorrow, but we are looking forward it." He will be hoping to add to the two goals he has scored in recent wins over Motherwell and Hibs and, when the dust settles on tomorrow's contest, Velicka will turn his attention to the pivotal Old Firm game at Ibrox next month. The striker has yet to sample the unique fare offered by a meeting between the Glasgow giants and he couldn't ask for a bigger game in which to make his mark this term. Irrespective of what happens between now and then, the game at Ibrox is titanic in terms of its significance. For all that both sides have squandered advantages and thrown away chances to exert further pressure on their rivals this term, it would be difficult to envisage either side winning the game at Ibrox and then not lifting the title. Velicka had fallen so far out of the picture at Rangers that he was in danger of becoming the forgotten man but, should he make his mark in what is the biggest game of the season, redemption could be at hand. "Of course I want to play in it," grinned the Lithuanian. "I haven't played in an Old Firm game before and I know what a big game it is. "It is huge because of the league situation, but an Old Firm game by itself is known all over the world. I would love to play a part in it, but this is football and things do not always go the way you want them to. "The manager has a big squad here and players like Kenny Miller and Kris Boyd have been doing it all season. "All I can do is show what I can do in training and in games and hope that I am involved when the game takes place. "But before then we have a game against St Mirren in the Scottish Cup and a league match against Hearts, so we have to think about them. "It would be silly to be thinking about Celtic just now when there are other things for us to do." Rangers have avoided a second trip to Tynecastle and will play Hearts at home in the first SPL game after the split. Critics who have pointed to the third home game against the Edinburgh side might want to consider the manner in which Csaba Laszlo's side came back from a two-goal deficit to take a point on their last visit to Ibrox. The games between either half of the Old Firm at Tynecastle are always fraught, although Velicka doesn't believe Rangers have an advantage by avoiding a trip to his former home ground. "Hearts will believe they can win against us," he said. "I enjoy playing against them because they are my old side, but that doesn't mean I don't want to beat them. "They have done very well under Csaba and he has them playing good football but, more importantly, they are a team that seem to have a lot of belief. "I don't think it is easier playing them at Ibrox than at Tynecastle because they are a difficult side to beat. "People look at Scottish football and think that Rangers should beat everybody they play, but it is not like that. You have to work very hard to win every game and every team can make life very hard for you. "Hearts will remember what happened when they played us the last time and they will take a lot of belief from that. We will need to be at our best but all that matters now is getting points." Publication date 24/04/09 http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/display.var.2504069.0.0.php

Just been on reporting Scotland that Bolton have drawn up new plans for a new EPL set-up that includes the championship as well. They have also allowed room for the old firm to join at the second tier. They will be bringing it forward at a meeting on Thursday.

KYLE LAFFERTY has vowed to fire Rangers to the SPL title after declaring himself fit for the run-in. The 21-year-old hitman has handed Gers a massive boost by revealing he is close to a top-team return. Lafferty suffered ankle ligament damage in the draw with Hearts last month and it was feared his season was over. But after battling back, the Ulsterman has set his sights on Celtic and the Old Firm title crunch at Ibrox on May 9. Lafferty said: ââ?¬Å?The injury is getting better all the time. In fact I am ahead of schedule. Iââ?¬â?¢ve already done a bit of ball work and a bit of running this week. Iââ?¬â?¢m getting there. ââ?¬Å?Iââ?¬â?¢m looking at the first game after the split. I have my hopes riding on that. ââ?¬Å?But if not that game then definitely the Old Firm game a week later. ââ?¬Å?Thatââ?¬â?¢s the one I desperately want to be involved in. ââ?¬Å?There is still so much to play for and Iââ?¬â?¢m bursting to get back. Iââ?¬â?¢m desperate to be involved in the title run-in and a potential Scottish Cup Final. Iââ?¬â?¢ve already had the heartache of a cup final defeat to Celtic, so I think all the lads are more determined to get to this final and win it. ââ?¬Å?But we have St Mirren first and we also have five massive matches in the league. ââ?¬Å?The championship is the one we all want.ââ?¬Â Laffertyââ?¬â?¢s debut season in Scotland has been plagued by injury problems. His latest set-back came just when it seemed he had finally found his feet. Itââ?¬â?¢s been a frustrating, sometimes depressing, ten months. But the Ã?£3.25million summer buy from Burnley is confident he will have the last Laff. He said: ââ?¬Å?When this latest injury happened people were talking about my season being over. That worried me a bit. ââ?¬Å?But the results of my scan were far more positive and Iââ?¬â?¢ve got my head down in training. ââ?¬Å?It was frustrating to pick up another injury. My studs got caught in the turf as I tried to turn, but it could have been a lot worse. ââ?¬Å?I was due some luck because Iââ?¬â?¢ve not had a lot where injuries have been concerned this season. ââ?¬Å?First of all it was my back, then I had a few niggles and now this one to my ankle. ââ?¬Å?I keep on saying ââ?¬Ë?I hope thatââ?¬â?¢s itââ?¬â?¢, but I keep on getting cursed. Hopefully that will be it this time. ââ?¬Å?Itââ?¬â?¢s been frustrating because I felt I was doing well. The gaffer had given me my chance up front and the goals were coming. ââ?¬Å?But I only lasted three or four games then I picked up this latest injury. Hopefully I can get back and play my part in the run-in.ââ?¬Â http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/article2388648.ece

RANGERS will have three home fixtures after the split but the SPL will not announce the full list until after the clash with Hibs at Easter Road. Hibs have clinched their place in the top six without kicking a ball as Motherwell crashed 2-0 at home to St Mirren yesterday. They were one point ahead of Mark McGhee's team and the victory for Gus Macpherson's side consigns Well to the bottom six and therfore no chance of European football. So in the remaining five matches Rangers will face Aberdeen, Celtic, Dundee United, Hearts and Hibs. The Old Firm game has already been scheduled for May 9 but it remains to be seen when and where Rangers will play the other sides. The SPL has to endeavour to make sure that each of the 12 sides in the division play 19 home games and they have confirmed that Rangers will have three post-split home matches.

Had a weak game against Hibs I felt. The only reason I could see for him not getting pulled for Miller instead of Velicka is he's usually good to nick a goal. Not solely his fault. The mdifield, Edu aside, were overall pretty poor again and created little. We didn;t get down Hibs flanks enough and get balls for him to attack. There was one good ball in sometime in the second half but he didn't get a good contact. I don't think it was due a lack of trying but little came off for either forward til Velicka's goal which I thought was a cracker. With Velicka coming in from the cold and Miller getting back to fitness Boyd could be going off the boil at just the wrong time again. 1 bad game after 3 good one's though, we can forgive him that. However assuming he gets the nod against St Mirren he'll need a good team performance as well as a goal to have a realistic chance of the final Old Firm game. Would feel for the big man if he was to miss out again. I think a goal in a big Old Firm game could finally convince all the doubters. But after all his hard work post boozegate he picked a bad week to have a quiet game. Even on form Smith isn't convinced with him for these games so Sunday's performance will likely have big bearing on the manager's tactical decision's. Hopefully it was a one off and we'll see the Boyd of recent weeks in the semi-final.