Rangers may be sole survivors

The Bell's Scottish League Premier Division fixture list could be cut to just one match today if the freezing weather continues to bite. Only the Rangers v Hibernian match at Ibrox is protected by undersoil heating, with sub-zero temperatures threatening the other games at Dunfermline, Hearts, Motherwell and Kilmarnock.

Inspections are planned at Motherwell (9.30am), Dunfermline (10.0) and Hearts (10.30), while Kilmarnock are still hoping their home game against Dundee United will survive. If it does, the former Rangers striker Bobby Williamson will take charge of the home side for the first time, following this week's departure of Alex Totten from Rugby Park.

If Celtic's visit to Motherwell is postponed, then Rangers would have the chance to open up an eight-point lead in the title race. Ally McCoist will lead the Rangers attack needing just one goal to equal the post-war Scottish League scoring record of 264 goals, held by Gordon Wallace. Brian Laudrup, Paul Gascoigne and Alex Cleland are likely to return for Rangers.

Snow and ice also threatens to wipe out all four Tennents Scottish Cup first-round fixtures scheduled to be played today. The game between Huntly and Clyde is already a victim of the bad weather and will now be played a week today.

Ian McPhee has been named caretaker manager of Forfar Athletic, following Thursday's departure of Tommy Campbell, who is now the manager of Arbroath.