McKimmie compounds problems

SCOTTISH FOOTBALL

Stewart McKimmie, the Aberdeen captain, can expect to suffer the full force of Scottish Football Association discipline following his sending- off for the use of an elbow against Callum Milne, of Partick Thistle, writes David McKinney.

McKimmie knows only too well that the Procurator Fiscal in Glasgow is at present investigating events at the Rangers- Aberdeen match on 11 November and that Billy Dodds, McKimmie's team- mate, is also the subject of a report.

His actions were therefore bewildering at a time when the Scottish game is being studied more closely than ever, to such an extent that the Crown Office is preparing guidelines for taking civil action over events on the pitch.

Other events conspired to provide a 1-0 win for Partick, thanks to a headed goal from Tom Smith in the 63rd minute and although Dean Windass, Aberdeen's pounds 700,000 signing from Hull City, came on when the goal was scored, he could do little to turn the game in Aberdeen's favour.

Rangers retained their four-point lead at the top of the Premier Division courtesy of Ally McCoist, who scored his 250th league goal, and Paul Gascoigne in their 2-0 win against Hearts.

Celtic came back from two goals down to beat Kilmarnock 4-2, and the Celtic board have agreed to play a testimonial in the new year for Mike Galloway, whose career was ended in August following a car crash.

Falkirk moved off the bottom with a 2-1 win over Raith Rovers, while Hibernian retained third place with a 2-0 win at Motherwell. In the First Division, Dundee United recorded their biggest league win for almost 28 years, an 8-0 defeat of Dumbarton in which Craig Brewster scored four goals.