Rangers rebound

Scottish round-up

DAVID MCKINNEY

Juventus had torn Rangers apart in European competition in midweek but back on the domestic scene it was business as usual. In a week when the shortcomings of Scottish football were exposed as never before, Ally McCoist, the Rangers striker, ensured his manager Walter Smith finished the week with a smile on his face by scoring both goals in a 2-0 win over Falkirk.

No amount of introspection will improve matters unless people act to change the domestic game and with that in mind Smith, who is hoping for a reduction in the number of games clubs play in future, would be wise to avoid the latest edition of the German magazine Kicker, in which his Danish star, Brian Laudrup, suggests he will leave the club when his contract is up in two years' time.

Laudrup said: "I'm aware that the standard of the Scottish League is not too impressive. I don't want to finish my career here, I'd love to play in a big league again, England and Germany are possibilities."

Celtic, meanwhile, have indicated they will support Rangers in their battle to end Uefa's current three-foreigner restriction for European competition. On the pitch, Celtic continued to hang on to Rangers' coat tails, a 2-0 win over Motherwell keeping them within four points of their rivals.

Gus MacPherson, the Kilmarnock full-back, had a memorable day in his side's 5-1 win over Raith Rovers, making three of his side's goals before turning goalkeeper after Dragoje Lekovic was sent off with 18 minutes remaining.