Scottish Football: McAvennie row

(First Edition)

AFTER agreeing to join Partick Thistle, Frank McAvennie hasoutraged the Firhill clubby returning to Celtic.

The former Westham and Scotland striker hadagreedto a short-term move to Thistle on Wednesday and posed for photographs in a Partick strip, but he changedhismind about the deal when told of Celtic's interest. The 33-year-old spent two years, 1987-89, at Parkhead in between histwo speelat West Ham.

'We have been cheated and the fanshave been cheated,' John Lambie, thePartick manager, said. 'We feel McAvennie used us. This isthelowest of the low - a scandal. Your word should be your bond.'

Liam Brady, the Celtic manager, said: 'Obviously I was interested when I confirmed that Frank hadn't actually signedfor Thistle.' The player will live inLondon but train in Glasgow. He will not play in today's Old Firm derby against Rangers at Ibrox, but otherwise Brady has a full squad to choose from, apart from the full-back, Dariusz Wdowczyk.

Rangers will probably be without Ally McCoist, who has a calf injury. Gary McSwegan stands by.