Celtic signing to make Cup debut

Celtic should give the 21-year-old midfielder Stephen Pearson his debut in the Scottish Cup third-round tie against Ross County today after the Scotland international completed his £350,000 move from Motherwell to his boyhood favourites

Pearson was a Scotland Under-21 international before graduating to the senior team for the Euro 2004 play-off first leg against the Netherlands in November when he almost scored after his introduction as a substitute.

The Falkirk manager, John Hughes, hopes their third-round game against Ayr will provide the kick-start his players need. The Bairns have not won in five attempts and Hughes is determined to see that disappointing run come to an end today.

He said: "We need to make sure we stay in the fight for the title. When we get beat I agonise over it and I'm on the phone constantly over the weekend, trying to put things right. But I've seen more determination in the dressing room over the past month than at any time since the start of the season. The boys are desperate to turn the corner."

The Inverness manager, John Robertson, has signed Aberdeen's Darren Mackie on loan until the end of the season and he goes straight into the squad for their game against Brechin.

David Bingham and Barry Wilson face fitness tests, while Steve Hislop could recover in time.

St Mirren's manager, Gus McPherson, will be without Craig Hinchcliffe and Allan Russell for their game against Airdrie after the pair suffered ankle injuries. Kirk Broadfoot could play if he shakes off a knock and Eddie Annand continues to recover from his foot operation.

Airdrie's new signing Kevin Christie is pushing for a game but with United at full strength, few changes are anticipated.

Hamilton have Derek Ferguson back in training while Jim Sherry is close to joining him following injury problems, but Steve Convery has a hamstring problem that looks set to keep him out for a month.

The Cowdenbeath manager, Keith Wight, has signed the St Andrews University student Pressley Orhue and he goes straight into the squad for the game against Hamilton Academical. Graeme Brown has left for Ayr.

The Clyde player-manager Alan Kernaghan is back from suspension and could play in their tie against Gretna. Simon Mensing has a heel injury but Jimmy Gibson should recover from flu in time.

Gretna's manager, Rowan Alexander, has no fresh injury or suspension worries.

The East Fife manager, Jim Moffat, has a full squad to choose from for their clash with Queen of the South.