Football: Rangers put to the test

WHILE Hearts are seeking their fifth win in six games against a troubled Aberdeen side today, the leaders Rangers, whose attempts to lure Hearts' skipper Alan McLaren from Tynecastle have so far failed, face an in-form Motherwell side.

Motherwell have scored eight goals in their last two games and are expecting an 11,500 sell-out at Fir Park. Tommy Coyne will be hoping to add to his personal tally of five in three games - including two for Ireland - which makes him the Scottish Premier League's top scorer with nine goals, one ahead of Rangers' Mark Hateley. Walter Smith, the Rangers manager, has Basile Boli back to cover the sale of Steven Pressley to Coventry.

Celtic, who meet Aberdeen in the Coca-Cola Cup semi-final next week, will be without their captain, Paul McStay, against Falkirk at Hampden. McStay suffered a gash to his thigh in the 1-0 defeat at Hearts last Saturday.

Tommy Burns, the Celtic manager, has Tony Mowbray and Brian O'Neil challenging for defensive places again but he is playing down speculation linking him with Tosh McKinlay of Hearts and Andy Millen of Kilmarnock.

Hibs have an injury worry over Darren Jackson for the game against his old club Dundee United at Tannadice. Jackson has scored eight goals in nine games against United. At the bottom of the table Partick travel to Kilmarnock.