Football: Scottish round-up - Walker's costly miss

DUNDEE UNITED must by now believe their name will be engraved on to the Tennents Scottish Cup in May, writes David McKinney. The Premier League side have struggled against lower league opposition in their three ties and if they progress to a semi-final meeting with Celtic they will have played six games in the competition.

Paul Sturrock's side have been forced to replay every tie so far and on Saturday they came within inches of going out to First Division Ayr United.

Andy Walker, the former Celtic and Bolton striker who scored twice from the penalty spot against Kilmarnock in an earlier round, saw his late spot-kick diverted on to the crossbar by Sieb Dykstra, the Dundee United goalkeeper. The game finished goalless and will be replayed tomorrow.

Rangers, meanwhile, took another step towards the Premier League title with a 2-1 win over Motherwell. Goals from Rod Wallace and Jonatan Johansson gave Andy Goram no chance on his return to Ibrox. Although Mark Gower, the new signing from Tottenham, pulled a goal back for Motherwell, Rangers were always in control.

Celtic recorded a comprehensive 5-1 victory away to Aberdeen yesterday, Henrik Larsson and Mark Viduka both scoring twice, but they are still 10 points behind Rangers.

Following Airdrie's 2-0 win over Stranraer, their manager of eight years' standing, Alex MacDonald, resigned.