Scottish Premier League - Team news: Dilemma for Smith

Eurosport - Sat, 21 Mar 12:26:00 2009

Rangers boss Walter Smith has a defensive dilemma after David Weir was ruled out of the SPL clash with third-placed Hearts due to suspension.

FOOTBALL Rangers Walter Smith - 0

Falkirk (12) v Inverness (11)

Falkirk boss John Hughes is without captain Darren Barr, who begins a two-match suspension. Kevin McBride is in contention for a return to the squad after two months out with a back injury, while experienced pair Jackie McNamara and Neil McCann are also set to feature.

Inverness striker Eric Odhiambo is sidelined with a knee injury. Midfielder Russell Duncan returns to the squad after recovering from a thigh strain and forward Andy Barrowman is pushing for a start following his goal in the reserves' midweek win over Motherwell.

Last season: Falkirk 2 Inverness 1, Inverness 0 Falkirk 1, Falkirk 1 Inverness 0, Inverness 4 Falkirk 2

Last five league matches: Falkirk W D L D L; Inverness D W L W W

Top scorers: Steve Lovell (Falkirk) 10; Adam Rooney (Inverness) 6

Referee: C Murray (Scotland).

Hamilton (8) v St Mirren (10)

Hamilton midfielder James McArthur (knee) and defender Martin Canning (groin) need operations but both are set to start, while striker Richard Offiong could return after a cameo appearance at Aberdeen.

Defender Trent McClenahan (hernia), Brian Easton (hamstring), Simon Mensing (suspension) and long-term absentees David Elebert (hamstring) and Mark Corcoran (hip) are all out.

St Mirren midfielder Hugh Murray starts a three-match ban but on-loan defender Scott Cuthbert returns to the squad after being ineligible for the Homecoming Scottish Cup clash with Celtic. Tom Brighton, Steven Robb, Stephen O'Donnell and Franco Miranda remain on the sidelines.

Last season: No corresponding fixture

Last five league matches: Hamilton L W L L L; St Mirren D D D L D

Top scorers: Richard Offiong (Hamilton) 6; Billy Mehmet (St Mirren) 11

Referee: S Finnie (Scotland).

Hibernian (6) v Aberdeen (4)

Hibs defender Sol Bamba is suspended after his dismissal in last weekend's derby against Hearts, while winger Alan O'Brien is also a doubt after being replaced with a hamstring problem during the 1-0 victory. However, the versatile Ian Murray could come into contention for a starting berth.

Darren Mackie (hamstring) is likely to miss out for Aberdeen, while fellow striker Lee Miller (hamstring) is also unlikely to figure. Midfielder Gary McDonald should return after hip trouble and winger Jamie Smith should be available despite suffering a knock in the Homecoming Scottish Cup loss to Dunfermline.

Last season: Aberdeen 2 Hibernian 1, Hibernian 3 Aberdeen 1, Aberdeen 3 Hibernian 1, Hibernian 3 Aberdeen 3

Last five league matches: Hibernian D L D W W; Aberdeen L D D D W

Top scorers: Derek Riordan (Hibernian) 9; Lee Miller (Aberdeen) 10

Referee: M McCurry (Scotland).

Referee: D McDonald (Scotland).

Rangers (2) v Hearts (3)

Rangers defenders Madjid Bougherra (calf) and Kirk Broadfoot (foot) face late fitness tests. David Weir is suspended, meaning Lee McCulloch, Christian Dailly or Andy Webster could be drafted into defence.

Hearts winger Andrew Driver has a hamstring problem and manager Csaba Laszlo is reluctant to risk him, while Laryea Kingston, Gary Glen and Jason Thomson miss out with the same injury. Goalkeeper Janos Balogh is banned but striker Mike Tullberg is in the squad after a five-month lay-off with a torn thigh muscle.

Last season: Hearts 0 Rangers 4, Rangers 2 Hearts 1 Hearts 4 Rangers 2

Last five league matches: Rangers W D W W L; Hearts W D W W L

Top scorers: Kris Boyd (Rangers) 24; Calum Elliot (Hearts) 11

Referee: C Thomson (Scotland).

Sunday, March 22

Dundee Utd (5) v Celtic (1)

Dundee United midfielder Scott Robertson is ruled out after he failed to recover from a groin complaint.

Prince Buaben and Andis Shala have recovered from minor knocks and will come into contention, while manager Craig Levein hopes an extra day's rest will help Jon Daly (hamstring) and Darren Dods (calf) recover in time.

Left-back Lee Naylor has recovered from a calf injury and will be in Celtic's squad.

Japanese midfielder Koki Mizuno is back from a hamstring injury, but Barry Robson (groin), Shaun Maloney (hamstring) and Paddy McCourt (hamstring) are still out.

Last season: Dundee Utd 0 Celtic 1, Celtic 0 Dundee Utd 0, Dundee Utd 0 Celtic 2, Celtic 3 Dundee Utd 0

Last five league matches: Dundee Utd D D L W L; Celtic D D D W W

Top scorers: Jon Daly (Dundee Utd) 9; Scott McDonald (Celtic) 15

TeamTalk / Eurosport

Comment 33 - 52 of 52

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  1. pt 58 edinburghs finest humbled by hearts lets all­ laught ant rangers ha ha ha ha and if it went on for­ another 10 min you were getting humped

    From paul, on Sun 22 Mar 1:16AM

  2. pt51 you were saying james lets all laught at rangers­ ha ha ha ha

    From paul, on Sun 22 Mar 1:13AM

  3. point 56.making on your a hearts fan disnae work when­ you spout your bigotry.4 in a row.FTQ

    From docherty686, on Sat 21 Mar 5:29PM

  4. take a look at the table and weep scum!4 in a row.FTQ

    From docherty686, on Sat 21 Mar 5:25PM

  5. POINT 53.SO YOUR NOT GOING TO BE ON HERE FOR A GOOD FEW­ YEARS THEN?FU CK OFF @#$% IT'S BEAR HIBERNATION­ TIME AGAIN.4 IN A ROW.FTQ

    From docherty686, on Sat 21 Mar 5:20PM

  6. pt59 snd pt 52you lot should be put against a wall and­ shot and i know just the people to do it pt 44 folk­ song dont think so this is a folk song
    let the people­ sing you bigots must all be infested with the same­ imbread blood edinburghs finest dont make me laugh you­ are all just jokes

    From paul, on Sat 21 Mar 3:03PM

  7. paulgardener,get a life .H.er M.ayesty`s F.inest­ C.lub.Embra`s No.1

    From brian d, on Sat 21 Mar 2:24PM

  8. brian u are a pric.k

    From mac, on Sat 21 Mar 2:24PM

  9. smith and murray knew about big burny

    From mac, on Sat 21 Mar 2:23PM

  10. I do wish the people who excavate the earth looking for­ King Edwards would toddle off back to where they belong­ and stop going on about the past.If they love place­ that much then go live there.Do pardon the the pun but­ they have "chips" on their shoulder.BJ defo­ Knew the full chebang.H.er M.ajesty`s F.inest C.lub.

    From brian d, on Sat 21 Mar 2:19PM

  11. your next comment will be a long time away then james

    From jason.kerr35, on Sat 21 Mar 2:09PM

  12. super hoops 2-0 2moro

    From jason.kerr35, on Sat 21 Mar 1:41PM

  13. next time am on commenting RANGERS WILL BE TOP OF THE­ LEAGUE

    From jamesm watp, on Sat 21 Mar 12:29PM

  14. easy for the gers the day GARDENER ffs if that p.ish­ you call your team can beat hearts then itl be easy for­ the world famous red white and blue , how you know at­ waverley the day anyway GARDENER GIVING IT YAR USUAL­ RANT BIG ISSUE BIG ISSUE fukn loser WE ARE THE PEOPLE .

    From jamesm watp, on Sat 21 Mar 12:28PM

  15. 45 its a folk song

    From jamesm watp, on Sat 21 Mar 12:23PM

  16. i bet if rangers win today haigy will be on at 5.15­ spouting his bile even though hes not been seen much­ since the cis defeat maybe hes dead na our lucks not­ that good

    From paul, on Sat 21 Mar 12:16PM

  17. gavin theres no point talking footbal to the likes of­ james he cant see passed his bigoted points so we have­ to lower the tone to his level its all the poor boy­ understands!!!!! but your right mate this is a football­ page rangers will have a realy hard game today

    From paul, on Sat 21 Mar 12:05PM

  18. Good to see football is still the topic of conversation­ on these pages!!!

    From Gavin C, on Sat 21 Mar 12:02PM

  19. pt 42 is that it you need to try to read more material­ something better than the dandy o i forgot imbreads­ like you cant read trailer trash

    From paul, on Sat 21 Mar 11:44AM

  20. Jamesie - cut it oot wi' the Sash! Ye look like a­ bigot noo!

    From Singin' Ginger!!, on Sat 21 Mar 11:42AM
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