Scottish Football: Leaders set fair

A SUCCESSFUL end to the League campaign awaits Rangers and Raith Rovers after results went their way on Saturday, writes David McKinney.

The First Division leaders, Raith, managed by the former Manchester United and Rangers full-back, Jimmy Nicholl, are destined for a return to the top division after a 23-year absence following their 2-0 win over Kilmarnock.

The Kirkcaldy side have lost only two League games this season and, with nine matches left, need just six points to be assured of promotion.

Rangers, of course, are operating on three fronts - the League, Scottish Cup and European Cup - and the next three weeks will be crucial to their hopes.

The prospect of their European champions' league match against Bruges on Wednesday did not deflect them from chalking up their 43rd game without defeat - a 3-0 win over Hibernian - with goals from Mark Hateley and Ally McCoist (his 46th this season).

David Robertson, the Rangers full-back, suffered a hamstring pull, which will rule him out for Wednesday; he joins six internationals currently under treatment.

Aberdeen dropped a point against Falkirk, which may have pushed Rangers further towards a fifth successive title, but the heavy concentration of important games and the injury situation could conspire to limit their success.

Celtic, without a League game because of a virus in the Motherwell camp, lost to Clyde, of the Second Division, in a friendly at Celtic Park, fuelling speculation that Tony Mowbray, the former Middlesbrough defender, will be the next player to leave the club.