Scottish football: Macari calls for belief

LOU MACARI, the Celtic manager, yesterday admitted his players seem to have lost belief in themselves. Despite some moderate performances since Macari took charge, Celtic are just two points adrift of Rangers, the Premier Division leaders, as they go into today's game with Dundee at Dens Park.

Frank McAvennie may start his first game since September because Charlie Nicholas is ill and Paul Byrne has suffered a recurrence of a knee problem. Dundee, five points behind second-bottom Raith, are involved in negotiations with Bradford City's 32-year-old centre-back, Noel Blake, and he could make his debut against Celtic.

Rangers, unbeaten in eight, take on in-form Dundee United at Ibrox with Richard Gough poised to return after a two-game absence.