Snelders joins the Ibrox crusade

Scottish football

Rangers' determination to retain their league title was demonstrated yesterday when they paid Aberdeen pounds 200,000 for their Dutch international goalkeeper, Theo Snelders.

Snelders is unlikely to displace Scotland's Andy Goram in the Ibrox first team in the near future, but his signing shows that Rangers are intent upon ensuring that there are no weak links in their squad as they try to see off the challenge of Celtic. It is a good deal for the Dons, too, as Snelders would have been out of contract in the summer and could have moved back to the Continent for nothing.

Goram, who missed last weekend's win over Falkirk, returns today at Raith Rovers, who have signed the experienced Montenegrin defender, Miodrag Krivokapic, from Motherwell for a small fee. Rangers will be without the injured David Robertson and Charlie Miller, while Derek McInnes is added to their squad. Rovers will be without Shaun Dennis (injured) and David Sinclair (suspended).

Two relegation strugglers, Partick Thistle and Motherwell, meet at Firhill. Rod McDonald is banned so Wayne Foster comes into the home squad, while Motherwell welcome back their captain, Chris McCart.

Andy Dow, signed from Chelsea a fortnight ago, makes his home debut for Hibernian against a Kilmarnock side missing injured central defender, Neil Whitworth. Hearts, who visit Falkirk, may call up highly rated striker Kevin Thomas, who has been out for a year with a knee ligament injury.

n Airdrie, currently sharing Clyde's ground in Cumbernauld, have won planning permission to build a 10,000-seat stadium at Craigneuk, near Motherwell. Councillors had initially blocked the move.