Football: Rangers await Fashanu threat

TOP meets bottom in the Premier Division today when Airdrieonians make the short trip from Lanarkshire to take on Rangers at Ibrox, writes Rupert Metcalf. After a quiet debut against Motherwell last weekend, an encounter with the likely champions will give Justin Fashanu, 31 next week, a clear indication of whether he can cope with the physical demands of top- flight football north of the border.

The itinerant former Norwich, Nottingham Forest and Torquay centre-forward has been identified by Archie Knox, the assistant manager at Ibrox, as the biggest threat to his side's progress. 'He gives them the experience they've lacked up front and will be a handful. We must make sure his opportunities are limited,' said Knox, who is in charge today due to the absence of Walter Smith, laid low with appendicitis.

Airdrie have a reputation as the rough men of the Premier Division, with six red cards so far this season. Gary Stevens and Mark Hateley, of Rangers, were chastised by the Scottish Football Association recently for criticising the Diamonds' strong-arm tactics in a 1-1 draw in December.

'There won't be vendettas or any such nonsense,' Knox insisted. 'Airdrie are an uncompromising side and get stuck in, but that's what we would expect of them.'

Rangers are nine points clear of Aberdeen at the top of the table, while Airdrie are two adrift at the bottom. Thanks to their disciplinary troubles, the visitors will be without Jimmy Boyle, Jimmy Sandison, Gus Caesar and Evan Balfour - all suspended.

Troubled Celtic, in third place four points behind Aberdeen, go to Pittodrie without Gerry Creaney, Tony Mowbray and Joe Miller, who are all on the injured list. The home side should be unchanged.