Rangers hope to cruise to title

January 30, 2010

Steven Davis believes Rangers’ easing injury list means they can maintain their 10-point lead over Celtic in the race for the Scottish Premier League title.

The Northern Irish midfielder was on target for the first time this season in Wednesday’s 2-0 win over St Mirren which saw Rangers increase their advantage at the top.

Victory came as Celtic were slumping to a 2-1 home defeat to Hibernian.

Rangers, who face relegation-haunted Falkirk on Saturday, had looked a little threadbare in recent weeks due to injuries and suspensions to key players.

Davis and his teammates had to rely on a last minute goal to rescue a point against Hearts last weekend as Walter Smith called-up several youth players.

However Nacho Novo, Kenny Miller, Steven Naismith and Pedro Mendes all returned in the midweek win over St Mirren and Davis believes this can boost their title hopes.

“These are difficult times for us at the moment with the number of injuries we have. This month, in particular, has been quite hard for the boys,” Davis said.

“But the boys who have come in have given the manager something to think about and we are starting to get a couple of players back. We have been missing a couple of important players recently and it will be good for us to get them back fit and get going again.”

Davis added: “We had a great run in December, but since then we have had injuries and suspensions and the manager has had to chop and change the side about. That can be disruptive.

“If we get everybody back fit it gives the manager a headache, a selection problem. Hopefully we can start playing better. We are capable of playing better.”

Kenny Miller may struggle to make the match against bottom club Falkirk after going off against St Mirren with a recurrence of his hamstring injury and top scorer Kris Boyd is still out.

Old Firm rivals Celtic head to New Douglas Park to take on Hamilton on the back of a costly defeat to Hibs.

Coach Tony Mowbray has stated that his side need to start winning games with his side only having claimed one victory so far this month and he will be boosted by the news several players have returned to training.

Scott McDonald, Mark Wilson and Shaun Maloney are all pushing for a top team return but the game against Hamilton may come too soon.

The Hoops boss might also be without Daniel Fox who is on the verge of joining English Premier League Burnley, but new signings Ki Sung-Yeung, Jos Hoovield and Morten Rasmussen, who made his debut against Hibs, are all available.

Elsewhere on Saturday only goal difference separates Aberdeen and Motherwell who meet at Pittodrie.

High-flying Hibs host St Mirren at Easter Road. John Hughes’ side sit in third-place, just two points behind Celtic, and any slip up from the Hoops could find Hibs climbing into the Champions League places.

Rugby Park is the destination for Peter Houston in his first game after being confirmed as Dundee United manager until the end of the season.

Kilmarnock are just one point above the relegation zone and are yet to win in the league under Jimmy Calderwood.

St Johnstone welcome a Hearts team looking to bounce back from their midweek thrashing at the hands of Aberdeen to McDiarmid Park.

Fixtures (1500 GMT unless otherwise stated)

Saturday

Aberdeen v Motherwell, Hamilton v Celtic (1230), Hibernian v St Mirren, Kilmarnock v Dundee United, Rangers v Falkirk, St Johnstone v Hearts

GLASGOW (AFP)

Tags: Aberdeen, bottom club, Boyd, coach tony, daniel fox, Davis, difficult times, Douglas Park, Dundee, Falkirk, Glasgow, Hamilton, jimmy calderwood, john hughes, kenny miller, Mark Wilson, McDiarmid Park, midfielder, minute goal, Morten Rasmussen, motherwell, pedro mendes, Peter Houston, premier league, Rugby Park, scott mcdonald, Scottish Premier League, selection problem, Shaun Maloney, st mirren, Steven Davis, steven naismith, Sung-Yeung, suspensions, target, tony mowbray, top scorer, top victory, walter smith

Whittaker wants to be Rangers spearhead

January 23, 2010

Steven Whittaker has told Rangers manager Walter Smith he can be the answer to the Ibrox club’s striker crisis as they prepare to face Hearts at Ibrox on Saturday.

The utility man struck a double in extra-time at Ibrox on Tuesday to sink Hamilton’s Scottish Cup hopes.

The win booked their place in the last 16 of the competition but came at a price with forwards Nacho Novo and Kenny Miller both limping out with injuries.

And with top scorer Kris Boyd already out following a hernia operation and Steven Naismith still struggling for fitness it leaves Smith with few options up front.

It means youngsters John Fleck or Andrew Little could partner Kyle Lafferty, who has shaken off a flu bug, although Novo has a fighting chance of making Saturday’s clash.

However Whittaker, who has struck eight goals this season, says he could fill in up front in a game that could see Rangers open up a 12-point lead at the top.

“In my younger days I played up front,” Whittaker said.

“I played off the front two when I was a youth player, but then I gradually worked my way wide to either right, left or full-back.

“I have filled in at various positions before for Rangers. It’s nice for other people to chip in with some goals – myself included. I’m now creeping up towards double figures and hopefully I can reach that before the end of the season – especially with some of the strikers injured.”

Hearts, who have recovered from a poor start to the season to occupy fifth spot, could welcome back Marius Zaliukas and Jose Gonclaves from injury but Craig Thomson is out following surgery.

Tony Mowbray takes his Celtic side to Perth to take on St Johnstone on Sunday.

The Hoops boss has come under fire following his side’s 1-1 draw with bottom club Falkirk last weekend which saw Celtic slip nine points behind Rangers, although they have a game in hand.

Mowbray is still without Scott Brown, Shaun Maloney, Daniel Fox and top scorer Scott McDonald through injury and captain Stephen McManus is also struggling.

However, central defenders Jos Hooiveld and Thomas Rogne could be in line to make their debuts and Ki Sung-Yeung will look to add to his impressive first showing against Falkirk.

Elsewhere on Saturday, interim Motherwell manager Craig Brown will be hoping his side can bounce back from their Scottish Cup defeat to First Division side Inverness Caledonian Thistle as they take on St Mirren at Fir Park.

Aberdeen welcome former manager Jimmy Calderwood, now in charge of Kilmarnock, back to Pittodrie for their clash with the Ayrshire side.

Hibernian will be aiming to regain third spot from Dundee United as they welcome Hamilton to Easter Road.

Fixtures (1500 GMT unless otherwise stated)

Saturday

Aberdeen v Kilmarnock, Hibernian v Hamilton, Motherwell v St Mirren (1230), Rangers v Hearts

Sunday

Falkirk v Dundee United (1315), St Johnstone v Celtic (1530)

GLASGOW (AFP)

Tags: Aberdeen, Andrew Little, bottom club, Boyd, captain stephen, captain Stephen McManus, celtic side, craig brown, Craig Thomson, daniel fox, Dundee, Easter Road, Falkirk, flu bug, Glasgow, hernia operation, jimmy calderwood, John Fleck, Jose, kenny miller, kyle lafferty, Marius, Scott Brown, scott mcdonald, scottish cup, Shaun Maloney, st johnstone, steven naismith, Sung-Yeung, Thomas Rogne, tony mowbray, utility man, walter smith, younger days, Zaliukas

Celtic look to reduce Rangers lead

January 16, 2010

Celtic manager Tony Mowbray says he is looking forward to seeing his team back in action against Falkirk on Saturday after recent postponements due to the wintry weather.

The Hoops host the Scottish Premier League’s bottom side looking to reduce the gap with league leaders Rangers who have a seven-point cushion, although they have played a game more than their rivals.

However, despite their lowly position the Bairns held the Glasgow giants to a 3-3 draw at the Falkirk Stadium earlier in the season and Mowbray knows it will be a tough match.

“There are no easy games,” he said. “It doesn’t matter who you play, you have to be very respectful of them. Falkirk try and spread the ball about, so it will be a very entertaining game.

“The game there was a tough outing for us. We didn’t play on the day, but give them a lot of credit as they played very well. However, this will be a very different game on Saturday.

“We are at home so we’ll try to be positive and put them on the back foot and win the football match.

“It’s always important to get the three points.

“This will be a long season and we have to go on accumulating points and find the consistency that I have talked about in the last month or so.

“There are plenty of positives to take from our last game against Rangers and we have to set off on a similar footing against Falkirk and try and try to get the win.”

Mowbray’s side will also head into the game light on players due to injuries and transfers.

Defender Gary Caldwell completed his move to Wigan while midfielders Barry Robson and Willo Flood joined New Zealand striker Chris Killen in joining former boss Gordon Strachan at Middlesbrough.

Scott Brown and Shaun Maloney are still out injured while the Hoops were dealt a blow when Socceroos striker Scott McDonald joined them after undergoing a hernia operation.

However, the Hoops manager has brought in two new faces with Dutch defender Jos Hooiveld and South Korean midfielder Ki Sung Yueng in line to make their debuts.

Rivals Rangers also have their worries as they visit New Douglas Park for the second time in a week to face Hamilton on league duty following their 3-3 draw in the Scottish Cup.

Walter Smith’s side has been decimated by injuries and suspensions and will be without top-scorer Kris Boyd for the next four weeks following a hernia operation.

The Ibrox side will also be without his strike partner Kenny Miller through suspension. Fellow forward Steven Naismith remains sidelined, while Lee McCulloch is also banned for the trip to Hamilton.

DaMarcus Beasley and fellow midfielder Pedro Mendes are also missing through injury, while defender Madjid Bougherra is on Africa Cup of Nations duty with Algeria.

There were some positives for the Gers gaffer with the news both Nacho Novo and midfielder Steven Davis have returned to training.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Dundee United take on Hibernian at Tannadice hoping to leapfrog the visitors into third place. Second bottom Kilmarnock host Craig Brown’s Motherwell at Rugby Park with Jimmy Calderwood in the dug-out after the former Aberdeen boss agreed a deal to replace Jim Jefferies.

Hearts will want to bounce back from their Scottish Cup defeat with a win against St Mirren at Tynecastle and St Johnstone welcome Aberdeen to McDiarmid Park.

Fixtures (1500 GMT unless otherwise stated)

Saturday

Celtic v Falkirk, Dundee United v Hibernian, Hamilton v Rangers (1230), Hearts v St Mirren, Kilmarnock v Motherwell, St Johnstone v Aberdeen

GLASGOW (AFP)

Tags: Aberdeen, Africa, bottom side, chris killen, different game, Dundee, Falkirk, Falkirk Stadium, football match, Gary Caldwell, Glasgow, gordon strachan, hernia operation, last game, McDiarmid Park, new faces, point cushion, postponements, Rugby Park, scott mcdonald, Scottish Premier League, seven point, Shaun Maloney, walter smith, willo flood, wintry weather

Gers taking it a match at a time: Weir

December 30, 2009

Rangers captain David Weir says he won’t give this weekend’s game against Celtic a second thought until they take care of their match against Dundee United on Wednesday.

The Gers have stormed four points clear at the top of the table as the form team in the Scottish Premier League with five wins on the trot since their only defeat of the season against Aberdeen in November, scoring 19 goals along the way.

Their 4-1 demolition of Hibernian on Sunday, where they came back from going a goal behind in 12 seconds, signalled a statement of their intent in a week where they take on their three nearest challengers in the race for the title.

The second Old Firm derby of the season is on the horizon but veteran defender Weir says Wednesday’s clash with fourth-placed United at Ibrox is just as important as they bid to retain their championship crown.

“The league title isn’t won in December,” said the 39-year-old.

“All we have done is just given ourselves a chance. We’ve got a big week and the result against Hibs was a confidence booster. “After Aberdeen at the end of last month, we realised it just wasn’t good enough. We had a word, sorted a few things out and have won five games in succession since.

“It was a big disappointment, the manner in which we lost the opening goal to Hibs after 12 seconds, but we responded in the right way.

“The spirit in the side is good but the important thing is to keep a bit of momentum going. There are some very important games approaching and we have to be ready for them.

That means we have to get ourselves in the right frame of mind for the game against Dundee United.”

Walter Smith has been dealt a blow before the game with United with the news American winger DaMarcus Beasley has been ruled out for three weeks after injuring a thigh during training.

He will join fellow midfielders Kevin Thomson and Pedro Mendes on the sidelines for the visit of United, whose search for a new manager continues following the departure of Craig Levein to the national team.

However, there was better news for Smith as Maurice Edu returned to the first team as a sub in the defeat of Hibs on Sunday, his first appearance since May.

Rivals Celtic face a Kilmarnock side who haven’t won at home in their last four attempts.

Tony Mowbray’s side picked up a confidence boosting win over Hamilton at the weekend and the Hoops gaffer knows he can’t afford to fall any more points behind Rangers before the side’s clash at Parkhead on Sunday.

The manager will still be without Scott Brown and Shaun Maloney but Gary Caldwell returns after suspension as Celtic look to keep pace with the league leaders.

Elsewhere on Wednesday, Motherwell make the trip to Tynecastle to take on Hearts without manager Jim Gannon, who was sacked on Monday after only six months in charge following his refusal to sign a contract with the Fir Park club.

St Johnstone have a tough task as they host Hibs, who were unbeaten in 12 matches before their loss to Rangers while strugglers Hamilton and St Mirren clash at New Douglas Park.

Fixtures (1945 GMT unless otherwise stated)

Wednesday

Hamilton v St Mirren

Hearts v Motherwell

Kilmarnock v Celtic

Rangers v Dundee United

St Johnstone v Hibernian

GLASGOW (AFP)

Tags: Aberdeen, captain david, Captain David Weir, challengers, championship crown, confidence booster, craig levein, damarcus beasley, David Weir, Douglas Park, Dundee, dundee united, Fir Park, four points, frame of mind, Gary Caldwell, Glasgow, Hamilton, hibernian, jim gannon, kevin thomson, Maurice, pedro mendes, premier league, Scott Brown, Scottish Premier League, second thought, Shaun Maloney, sidelines, St, tony mowbray, walter smith, winger

Celtic desperate to play down Old Firm clash

December 26, 2009

Spain midfielder Marc Crosas has told his Celtic team-mates to concentrate on their upcoming game against Hamilton and put the New Year Old Firm derby to the back of their minds.

The Hoops face rivals Rangers on January 3 but have games against Billy Reid’s side on Saturday and Kilmarnock to contend with first.

Celtic slipped four points behind Rangers in the race for the Scottish Premier League title with a 2-1 defeat at Hearts last weekend.

Crosas has warned his colleagues not to be so focused on the Old Firm clash in case they slip up again and find themselves further behind.

But the former Barcelona star insists that no matter what happens over the festive period, these games will not determine who is going to win the league.

“The Christmas period isn’t going to decide who wins the title, but whoever comes out on top will be in a better position,” he said.

“We have three very important games coming. Everybody will be talking about the Rangers game, but if we don’t get positive results against Hamilton and Kilmarnock, winning the derby would be for nothing.

“The games are all equally important and if we can come out of the Christmas fixtures in a good position, we will be set up for the second half of the season.

“It has been a frustrating season so far. I think we have played well in most of our games and had some great wins, but we haven’t always got what we deserved. That’s been disappointing.”

Celtic manager Tony Mowbray will be without Scott Brown and Shaun Maloney due to injury and Gary Caldwell will miss the match against Hamilton through suspension after he was red-carded in the defeat to Hearts.

A win for the Hoops would reduce the gap at the top and heap pressure on Rangers who don’t take on Hibernian at Easter Road until Sunday.

Walter Smith’s side are in good form having scored 15 goals in the past four league games but face a resurgent Hibs side under new boss John Hughes.

The former Falkirk boss has led the Edinburgh side to third in the league and Smith warned of the dangers awaiting his side at Easter Road following a 1-1 draw at Ibrox earlier in the season.

“Hibs are going extremely well this year, but, regardless of circumstances, a trip to Easter Road is difficult for any Rangers team,” Smith said.

“We went there at the end of last season and found it tough. They ended up being influential in where the championships ended up.

“Fortunately, we went on to win it, but this season they’re gaining in confidence and are playing very well. We had a game with Hibernian at Ibrox earlier in the season and it was excellent.

“It could have gone either way, and although we ended up having far more opportunities to score, they could have sneaked it at the end.

“Hopefully, we’ll have another game like that this weekend, and from our point of view we’ll get a better result than we did last time out.”

Smith will be without midfielder Kevin Thomson for the game through injury.

Elsewhere on Saturday managerless Dundee United take on Kilmarnock, bottom club Falkirk play Hearts, Motherwell host St Johnstone and St Mirren are at home to Aberdeen.

Fixtures (1500 GMT unless otherwise stated)

Saturday

Celtic v Hamilton, Dundee United v Kilmarnock, Falkirk v Hearts, Motherwell v St Johnstone, St Mirren V Aberdeen

Sunday

Hibernian v Rangers (1200)

GLASGOW (AFP)

Tags: Barcelona, Billy Reid, celtic team, christmas period, Dundee, Easter Road, Edinburgh, Falkirk, festive period, four points, Gary Caldwell, Glasgow, Hamilton, hibernian, hoops, john hughes, kevin thomson, kilmarnock, marc crosas, new boss, premier league, Scott Brown, Scottish Premier League, Shaun Maloney, team mates, tony mowbray, V Aberdeen, walter smith

Rangers´ best to come, says Novo

December 19, 2009

Nacho Novo has warned the rest of the Scottish Premier League that the best is yet to come from Rangers as they bid to increase their lead at the top of the table.

Walter Smith’s side leapfrogged leaders Celtic when they won their game in hand against Dundee United on Tuesday.

Rangers produced their best performance of the season in the 3-0 win at Tannadice with striker Novo playing a starring role in a win that puts them one point clear of Celtic.

The Ibrox side now have a crucial run of games over the Christmas period starting with Saturday’s visit of Motherwell but Spaniard Novo insists the squad are getting better all the time.

“I think we are coming into form at the right time. It is a crucial series of games and we need to be up for them,” Novo said.

“We were delighted to beat United, but we need to hit that level every game, and look to be even better as we have so many tough matches. The boys have been working really hard to get it right after some bad performances. I think the signs are better now, but we can improve.

“Everybody is fighting for each other and that is making a big difference for us just now. The boss has been on at us to make sure we press other teams and we did that really well at Tannadice. To win 3-0 up there was excellent.

“All over the park, from defence to midfield and the strikers, we have been very good and well organised in the last few games. The boys have been fantastic with three league wins in a row, and hopefully we can keep it going in the big games we have coming up.

Smith has been boosted by the return of injury of three first-team stars for the visit of Jim Gannon’s side on Saturday.

Keeper Allan McGregor should return to take his place between the sticks from Neil Alexander, who kept two clean sheets in his absence.

Kevin Thomson, who missed the match against Dundee United with a slight thigh strain, will be included in the squad as will American Maurice Edu, who has been out with a knee injury since May.

A win for Rangers would send them four points clear and put the pressure on Celtic, who don’t face Hearts at Tynecastle until Sunday.

However the Hoops will take some confidence from showing against Rapid Vienna in the Europa League on Thursday when they came from three goals down to finish the game with a 3-3 draw.

Boss Tony Mowbray rested several first team players for the match in Austria with one eye on the game against Hearts but the performance of the fringe players will have given him something to think about.

Long-term injuries Scott Brown and Shaun Maloney will be missing for the game against a Hearts side who are without a win in three games.

In Saturday’s other games third-placed Hibernian face a tough away game against Aberdeen, Hamilton are at home to Dundee United, bottom two Kilmarnock and Falkirk meet at Rugby Park and fellow strugglers St Johnstone take on St Mirren.

Fixtures (1500 GMT unless otherwise stated)

Saturday

Aberdeen v Hibernian, Hamilton v Dundee United, Kilmarnock v Falkirk, Rangers v Motherwell, St Johnstone v St Mirren

Sunday

Hearts v Celtic (1230)

GLASGOW (AFP)

Tags: Aberdeen, Allan McGregor, Austria, best performance, better all the time, big games, christmas period, clean sheets, Dundee, dundee united, getting better all the time, Glasgow, Hamilton, jim gannon, kevin thomson, kilmarnock, knee injury, Maurice, midfield, nacho novo, neil alexander, premier league, Rugby Park, Scott Brown, Shaun Maloney, Spaniard, strikers, thigh strain, tony mowbray, Vienna, walter smith, win 3

Rangers must ´write off´ Euro loss, focus on League

December 12, 2009

Kenny Miller has told his Rangers team-mates to forget about their European nightmare if they want to retain the Scottish Premier League title.

The Ibrox side ended a dismal Champions League campaign on Wednesday as they slumped to a 1-0 away defeat to Sevilla.

It was Walter Smith’s side fourth loss as they ended Group G with just two points, the worst tally of any Scottish team to have competed in the competition.

The defeat also means the Scottish champions have now gone a club record of 11 European matches without a win.

However, things are brighter on the domestic front, where the current champions sit just two points behind leaders Celtic, with a game in hand.

Rangers take on St Johnstone on Saturday but could find themselves even further behind in the race for the championship if Celtic can claim victory in the early kick-off match at Motherwell.

Miller says it is vital the Gers don’t dwell on their continental form if they are to harbour any hopes of being crowned SPL champions.

“We have to forget about the European campaign now. All we can do is just write it off,” the striker said.

“We cannot let the European disappointments this season linger for any time at all. Hopefully we can go back and win the league again. That’s a big thing now for the club and the fans.”

Tough games away to Dundee United and Hibernian await Rangers after this weekend’s match before the Old Firm derby in January and the Scotland international knows they will be crucial in the club’s bid to make it two titles in a row.

“We have a hard month now in the SPL,” Miller said.

“We start on Saturday with St Johnstone at Ibrox and then we’ve four more big games in December. There’s also an Old Firm game at New Year and then the Scottish Cup starts.

“So I think we are entering a crucial period over the next five weeks. We have tough matches scheduled but if we take a lot of points from these games – against sides who are challenging us – we will be in with a real shout of winning the title again.”

Gers boss Smith could welcome back Kris Boyd, who missed the match in Sevilla with a thigh strain, but will still be without Kirk Broadfoot and Maurice Edu for the visit of Derek McInnes’ side.

Celtic can pile the pressure on Rangers by moving five points clear at the top with a win away to Motherwell.

Shaun Maloney and Scott Brown are out with long-term injuries as the Hoops begin a run of three away games in a row against Jim Gannon’s side at Fir Park.

In Saturday’s other games, Hearts take on Dundee United minus captain Michael Stewart, Suso Santana, Ian Black and Eggert Jonsson, who were all sent off in last week’s defeat to Hamilton.

Hibernian hope to keep up with the leaders with a game away to Kilmarnock, Aberdeen host Hamilton while St Mirren take on bottom club Falkirk.

Fixtures

Saturday (1500GMT unless otherwise stated)

Aberdeen v Hamilton, Hearts v Dundee United, Kilmarnock v Hibernian, Motherwell v Celtic (1245GMT), Rangers v St Johnstone, St Mirren v Falkirk

GLASGOW (AFP)

Tags: Aberdeen, big games, Boyd, captain Michael Stewart, Derek McInnes, disappointments, Dundee, dundee united, european campaign, european nightmare, Falkirk, Fir Park, Hamilton, hibernian, Ian Black, jim gannon, kenny miller, Kirk Broadfoot, league campaign, Maurice, motherwell, premier league, rangers team, scotland international, Scott Brown, scottish champions, scottish cup, Scottish Premier League, scottish team, SEVILLA, Shaun Maloney, st johnstone, striker, walter smith, winning the title

Celtic must make home advantage count: Mowbray

November 28, 2009

Celtic manager Tony Mowbray has targeted a run of three home wins to help turn round his side’s stuttering start to the season.

The Hoops have struggled for form under their new gaffer, who moved from West Bromwich Albion in the summer, and have won just two games out of their last ten in all competitions.

Celtic, who have already exited the League Cup, slipped to second in the Scottish Premier League last weekend after losing 2-1 away to Dundee United and face a fight to stay in the Europa League beyond Christmas.

Mowbray and his men now have three home games in eight days starting with St Mirren on Saturday, followed by Hapoel Tel-Aviv on Wednesday before Aberdeen come calling next weekend.

Celtic could find themselves four points behind rivals Rangers as they run out at Parkhead on Saturday if Rangers pick up a win away to Aberdeen in the early kick-off match.

The run of home games could be crucial to Celtic’s domestic and European ambitions and Mowbray hopes his players can forget their poor form and kick-start their season with a win against the Buddies.

“The very nature of football is that players and managers are going to suffer setbacks frustrations and defeats,” said Mowbray.

“You have got to put it behind you and get back on the training ground. There is always another big game around the corner, and that’s the case with us.

“The message has to be that we have to all stick together.

“We have three home games coming up in the space of eight days, against St Mirren, Hapoel, and Aberdeen. And we have to try to win them all.

“That’s always the target at Celtic, winning matches. We have not done that consistently enough this season, but we will keep working together to find that level of consistency.

“Hopefully, we can get a result against St Mirren and then build on that.”

Celtic could be boosted by the return of midfield pair Zheng Zhi and Paddy McCourt for the visit of the Buddies, with both having missed the defeat at Tannadice.

Scott Brown is missing with an ankle injury as are Shaun Maloney and goalkeeper Artur Boruc. In the early kick-off game on Saturday Old Firm rivals Rangers have to put their European disappointment behind them as they face a difficult away game against Aberdeen.

Rangers gaffer Walter Smith will be without on-loan French winger Jerome Rothen for the trip north after he flew home to receive treatment for a suspected case of swine flu.

The champions have stuggled against the Dons at Pittodrie in recent years and haven’t won there since Smith returned for his second spell in charge in January 2007.

“We go to Pittodrie and that’s going to be difficult. Since I have come back to the club we have not had a great deal of success there so we would hope for better fortune,” Smith said.

“We have a decent record in the league this season but we recognise that it will be a big test for us up there.

“It’s always a good game up at Pittodrie. There is a bit of an edge to the game and hopefully we can come out on top.”

Elsewhere on Saturday Motherwell entertain Dundee United at Fir Park knowing that a win would draw them level on points with their opponents, Hibernian take on Falkirk, Kilmarnock are at home to Hearts and St Johnstone face Hamilton.

Fixtures (1500 GMT unless otherwise stated)

Saturday

Aberdeen v Rangers (1245)

Celtic v St Mirren

Hibernian v Falkirk

Kilmarnock v Hearts

Motherwell v Dundee United

St Johnstone v Hamilton

GLASGOW (AFP)

Tags: Aberdeen, ambitions, Artur Boruc, Aviv, big game, Dundee, dundee united, eight days, Falkirk, Fir Park, four points, frustrations, gaffer, Hamilton, hapoel tel aviv, home games, hoops, jerome rothen, mccourt, Paddy, parkhead, premier league, Scott Brown, Scottish Premier League, setbacks, Shaun Maloney, st mirren, target, tony mowbray, West Bromwich, west bromwich albion, Zhi

Rangers teen Wilson out to impress

November 7, 2009

Rangers defender Danny Wilson is not taking his place in the side for granted ahead of Saturday’s Scottish Premier League clash with St Mirren after an impressive start to his Rangers career.

The 17-year-old hasn’t put a foot wrong since being asked to partner David Weir in the centre of the Gers defence after Madjid Bougherra and Lee McCulloch were ruled out with injury.

The teenager made his debut in a 3-1 League Cup win over Dundee and has since made his European bow in the Old Firm side’s 1-1 with Unirea Urziceni on Wednesday.

Bougherra expects to be fit enough to return when Rangers take on St Mirren this Saturday at Ibrox but Wilson’s early contributions will cast genuine doubt over whether the Algerian merits an instant comeback after injury.

The teenager insists he is taking nothing for granted but there’s no doubt he has given manager Walter Smith something to think long and hard about as Rangers aim to cut Celtic’s lead at the top of the table.

Wilson – who became the club’s youngest Euro debutant since Willie Henderson in 1961 – added: “I’m just taking things as they come.

“I know there are more players in the squad who are capable of stepping back into the team.

“Just to have been given the nod for the couple of games I’ve played in so far has been excellent for me. I think I’ve done well so far but I need to keep trying as hard as I can when my chances come along. If I play I play and if I don’t, I won’t be too disheartened.”

Smith will be without injury victims Pedro Mendes, Maurice Edu and Kirk Broadfoot for the match against the Buddies, who have made a solid start to their league campaign.

On Sunday, league leaders Celtic are away to Falkirk where boss Tony Mowbray will be without midfielders Scott Brown and Shaun Maloney through injury.

But the boss has been boosted by the return of Marc-Antoine Fortune from injury after he made his come-back as a substitute in the 3-0 win over Kilmarnock last Saturday.

His eight-week absence limited Celtic’s striking options but Fortune looked sharp and dangerous when he came on as a second-half substitute.

“It’s easy to look back and say that we’ve missed Marc but you always miss good players when they are out,” Mowbray said. “He adds something different to the team.

“When he was fit and available at the start of the season, the team was generally scoring goals. He gives us a different dimension to the qualities of Scott McDonald and Georgios Samaras.

“Those two players have worked very hard for us, but Marc’s work with his back to goal can give us a platform. We will look to utilise him and the other strikers as the season goes on. They all have a part to play, but I was delighted with Marc’s return.”

Hibernian could join Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premier League if they triumph against Hearts in the Edinburgh derby at Tynecastle on Saturday.

John Hughes’ side are 12 points ahead of their city rivals, who sit in eighth position in the table but the Jambos have home advantage.

In Saturday’s other games Aberdeen take on St Johnstone at Pittodrie, Hamilton take on high-flying Motherwell in the Lanarkshire derby and Kilmarnock host Dundee United.

Fixtures (1500 GMT unless otherwise stated)

Saturday

Aberdeen v St Johnstone

Hamilton v Motherwell

Hearts v Hibernian

Kilmarnock v Dundee United

Rangers v St Mirren

Sunday

Falkirk v Celtic (AFP

Tags: Aberdeen, broadfoot, danny wilson, David Weir, debutant, Dundee, Edinburgh, Falkirk, Ibrox, john hughes, Kirk Broadfoot, league campaign, league leaders, Lee McCulloch, madjid bougherra, marc antoine fortune, mcculloch, no doubt, partner david, pedro mendes, Scott Brown, scott mcdonald, Scottish Premier League, Shaun Maloney, st mirren, sunday league, tony mowbray, urziceni, walter smith, willie henderson, Wilson

Stewart´s spot-kick stuns Celtic

October 29, 2009

Hearts sent holders Celtic crashing out of the Scottish League Cup as Michael Stewart’s penalty clinched a 1-0 quarter-final win at Parkhead on Wednesday.

Tony Mowbray’s team fell behind midway through the second half when Stewart slotted home from the spot after Danny Fox’s foul on Christian Nade.

The hosts piled on the pressure in search of an equaliser but Georgios Samaras wasted several chances before Celtic defender Stephen McManus was sent off in stoppage time to complete their misery.

Mowbray made four changes to the team that defeated Hamilton at the weekend, including an overhaul of his forward line as Australia striker Scott McDonald and Samaras were replaced by China’s Zheng Zhi and New Zealand’s Chris Killen.

The Hoops almost went a goal behind within a minute when Nade lobbed over keeper Lukasz Zaluska, but right-back Andreas Hinkel was able to get back and clear before the ball crossed the line.

Mowbray’s men were back on the attack when Shaun Maloney played a one-two with Zheng and brought Hearts keeper Janos Balogh into action from the edge of the penalty area.

Hearts defender Ismael Bouzid headed David Obua’s cross past the far post before the break but Celtic finished with a flurry of pressure.

First Zheng fired wide from the edge of the area, then Balogh denied Killen with a fine stop from point-blank range.

Celtic were slow to get going after the break and Hinkel had to come to the rescue with a last-ditch tackle on Andrew Driver after the Hearts star had knocked the ball past Zaluska.

Paddy McCourt, on as a half-time substitute, gave a glimpse of his ability to conjure up a moment of magic out of nowhere. The Celtic midfielder surged away from Craig Thomson and lashed a ferocious strike against the crossbar.

But Hearts took a shock lead in the 58th minute. Fox tripped Nade inside the box as the Frenchman drove in at goal and referee Craig Thomson pointed to the spot. Zaluska got his hand to Stewart’s penalty but couldn’t keep it out.

Mowbray responded by sending on Samaras and McDonald for Zheng and Killen and Celtic laid siege to the Hearts goal in the closing stages.

Aiden McGeady set up Samaras for a close-range shot blocked by Balogh and seconds later Samaras chipped the Hearts goalkeeper from 14 yards, only to see the ball strike the base of the post and bounce out.

Samaras wasted Celtic’s final chance to force extra-time when he headed wide from McGeady’s cross.

Celtic’s frustration boiled over in the second minute of stoppage time when McManus was sent off for a wild lunge at Driver after Thomson, who had initially shown a yellow card, upgraded the offence to a red card on the advice of his linesman.

GLASGOW (AFP)