Football: McCoist breaks post-war record

Scottish round-up

Another chapter in the legend of Ally McCoist was written on Saturday when the Rangers striker scored twice against Hibs to become Scotland's top post-war league goalscorer with 265.

In doing so he has beaten the record of Gordon Wallace and sent a warning to Sebastian Rozental, the Chilean striker, that if he does sign for Rangers this week he will have a difficult job filling the boots of a legend.

McCoist rarely scores goals which can be included in the memorable category. He keeps his most devastating work for the six-yard area and is a master of the "little goals'' as the current football vernacular would have it. However you describe his efforts, McCoist remains a constant danger.

His first goal against Hibs was a close-range header from a Brian Laudrup cross; his second, which was Rangers' third of the game, saw Paul Gascoigne send in a low ball which hit the goalkeeper Jim Leighton and cannoned off McCoist's outstretched leg into the net.

Neither strike was particularly spectacular but there is no one better at being in the right place at the right time, even if the combined distances from which his 265 goals have been scored would hardly take you to the half-way line.

His latest brace has, however, taken Rangers closer to winning nine consecutive league titles. They now lead Celtic by eight points and can anticipate the arrival of Rozental from Universidad Catolica, although the striker must wait for a work permit to become available before he can play in this country.

Celtic's requirement is a midfield player. They have been linked with Jamie Redknapp and Craig Burley and although Paul McStay and Phil O'Donnell are close to returning to first- team action they will do so with their club trailing their rivals by a significant margin. A last-minute winner by Ian Ross gave Motherwell a famous victory at Fir Park.

Aberdeen moved to within two points of Celtic with a 3-2 victory over Dunfermline at East End Park with Dean Windass scoring the winner for the Dons.

Raith Rovers moved off the bottom of the table thanks to a draw against Hearts while managerless Kilmarnock lost 2-0 at home to Dundee United. Killie, who sacked their manager, Alex Totten, in midweek have in the meantime allowed Bobby Williamson, the former Rangers striker, to take charge of team affairs.