Scottish Football: Clydebank's legal battle to go to Dublin

THE Second Division leaders Clydebank will go to court to establish their right to move to Dublin while retaining their status within Scottish football.

John Hall, the Bermuda-based millionaire who owns the club, is expected to inform the Scottish Football League today of his intentions and will allege restriction of trade to counter the inevitable resistance from both Scotland and Ireland.

Hall will point out that Monaco, although based in a principality, play in the French League, that English-based Berwick Rangers are members of the Scottish League while Swansea and Cardiff are in the Football League.

The Clydebank owner is also prepared to fly Scottish clubs to and from Ireland to complete fixtures and has underlined his ambitions by leasing the Royal Dublin Showground, the former home of Shamrock Rovers for three years.

Clydebank have been drawing crowds of 300 or less despite their successful league season. They intend to incorporate Dublin in their new name if the move goes ahead.

Rangers top the Premier Division by virtue of having scored more goals than Celtic after another dramatic weekend in the tightest title race for years. Rangers, Celtic and Hearts all have 52 points.

Victory for Rangers at Easter Road was secured with a goal two minutes from time by Jorg Albertz. Hibernian produced a spirited performance under Alex McLeish, their new manager, and took the lead through Barry Lavety before Marco Negri equalised. Rangers won the game with 10 men after Alex Cleland had been sent off.

Celtic beat Kilmarnock 4-0, a victory that allowed Harald Brattbakk to underline his potential with all four goals. The Norwegian striker was in devastating form and has given the Celtic supporters encouragement that this could be their year to lift the title.

Hearts, too, have similar ambitions and like Celtic they also scored four - but demonstrated the qualities that have taken them to the top of the table by coming back from two goals down against Motherwell.

Jim Hamilton scored twice for the Edinburgh club. Motherwell may today announce the identity of their new manager, who is expected to be a Scandinavian.

Aberdeen continued to improve their Premier Division position with a 1-0 victory over St Johnstone in Perth.