Scottish Football: Killie face revenge mission

WALTER SMITH, the Rangers manager, yesterday lavished praise on Kilmarnock - before plotting to take revenge against the first side to win at Ibrox in 18 months.

The former Rangers striker, Bobby Williamson, ended his former club's impressive home run in August by scoring Kilmarnock's last- minute winner, and the memory still lingers in the minds of the Ibrox players and management.

'Kilmarnock made a terrific start after being promoted,' Smith said. 'They have worked hard, have great potential in terms of support, and are a welcome addition to the Premier League.

'However, it still hurts to think they were the first side to beat us at Ibrox in 18 months, and we want to atone for that. It was just one of five home games this season when we've lost late goals, and we've got to cut out these errors if we want to retain the championship.' The league leaders have collected 19 points away from home and just 13 at Ibrox this season. The Rangers left-back, David Robertson, returns after recovering from a broken foot.

Celtic are down to 13 fit first-team players for the encounter with Partick Thistle at Firhill. Pat McGinlay broke his hand in last week's 4-2 defeat by Rangers, Dariusz Wdowczyk has a hamstring injury while both Wayne Biggins and Rudi Vata collected injuries in a midweek reserve match. Tony Mowbray, Mike Galloway and Gerry Creaney are all added to Lou Macari's squad.

Kevin Kelly, the Celtic chairman, said yesterday that the club have raised the funds necessary to make viable their long-awaited move from Parkhead to a new stadium in Cambuslang. A formal announcement is expected within the next fortnight.

Dundee United's pounds 200,000 import from Trinidad, Jerren Nixon, is included in a squad of 13 to tackle Hearts at Tannadice.