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

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  1. .Sure l'm an Ulster Orangeman, from Erin's­­ isle­ I came,
    To see my British brethren all of honour­­ and of­ fame,
    And to tell them of my forefathers who­­ fought in­ days of yore,
    That I might have the right­ to­ wear, the­ sash my father wore!
    It is old but it­ is­ b.eautiful,­ and its colors they are fine
    It was­ worn­ at Derry,­ Aughrim, Enniskillen and the­ Boyne.
    My­ father wore­ it as a youth in bygone days of­ yore
    And­ on the­ Twelfth I love to wear the sash my­ father­ wore
    For­ those brave men who crossed the Boyne­ have­ not fought­ or died in vain
    Our Unity, Religion,­ Laws,­ and Freedom­ to maintain,
    If the call should­ come­ we'll follow­ the drum, and cross that river­ once­ more
    That­ tomorrow's Ulsterman may wear the­ sash­ my father­ wore!
    And when some day, across the­ sea to­ Antrim's­ shore you come,
    We'll welcome­ you in­ royal style,­ to the sound of flute and­ drum
    And­ Ulster's hills­ shall echo still, from­ Rathlin to­ Dromore
    As we sing­ again the loyal strain­ of the sash­ my father wore!

    From jamesm watp, on Sat 21 Mar 10:59AM

  2. BIG JOCK KNEW

    From jamesm watp, on Sat 21 Mar 10:54AM

  3. PAUL GARDENER IS ILLIGITAMATE HE AINT GOT NO BIRTH­ CERTIFICATE

    From jamesm watp, on Sat 21 Mar 10:53AM

  4. jamesmwatp u are 1 sad cun.t,u and haigy are bum­ bandits like big burny.smith knew.FTQ

    From mac, on Sat 21 Mar 10:49AM

  5. pt 38 and you know loads about football ye glory­ hunting english loving bluenose bigot between you and­ haigy you wouldnt find half a brain

    From paul, on Sat 21 Mar 10:49AM

  6. THE ONLY HEARTBREAK THIS WEEKEND WILL BE FOR THE SEPTIC­ ONES , RANGERS WILL GO TOP TODAY AND STAY THER TILL MAY­ . THE BLUE BELLS ARE BLUE

    From jamesm watp, on Sat 21 Mar 8:53AM

  7. GARDENER SHUT UP YOU AIDS RIDDEN BIG ISSUE SELLING­ FREAK , YOU KNOW @#$% ALL ABOUT FOOTIE BEING A HIBEE IN­ ALL , AWAY AND W.ANK A SCABBY DUG , FOR EG YOUR MAW ,­ GET RID OF THE SALTIRE SAYS YOU WITH YOUR STUPID FUKING­ TRI COLOUR FLYING PAEDOLISTIC NOTIONS

    From jamesm watp, on Sat 21 Mar 8:52AM

  8. NEV YOU REALLY ARE A F.ANNY NO OTHER WORD FOR YOU

    From jamesm watp, on Sat 21 Mar 8:47AM

  9. pt 16 another fan who knowes haigy doesnt turn up­ without his team winning true blue is a disgrace and we­ all know it ive heard he f**** his mum but hey why not­ everyone else does 4-5-6-7-8-9 bang bang went the gun

    From paul, on Sat 21 Mar 1:36AM

  10. noserender get rid of the saltir ya prat that is the­ flag of a true scot not you english wanna be but not­ good enough w.a.n.k.e,.r

    From paul, on Sat 21 Mar 1:26AM

  11. more hartache tday with th jam tarts i predict..power­ to th peeps lol

    From zzgus f, on Sat 21 Mar 12:52AM

  12. you tell em pal deluded c.unts still think ther gonae­ win the league , poor em its just not gonae be ther for­ em poor b.astards supporting the bugger bum bhoys

    From jamesm watp, on Sat 21 Mar 12:09AM

  13. or is it smackheid ? every body who supports septic­ shoul be in peterheid the skanky paedos

    From nosurrenderstaffs, on Fri 20 Mar 11:56PM

  14. point 27 a forgot you would have seen they fuds every­ week at parkdeid sorry my mistake

    From nosurrenderstaffs, on Fri 20 Mar 11:55PM

  15. point 26
    i seen 11 last sunday not inc all on the­ bench and in the crowd, go flush your toilet theres a­ turn in yer house

    From chas_fyffe, on Fri 20 Mar 11:49PM

  16. POINT 19 any way what would you know about fuds ,you­ have probaly never even seen one

    From nosurrenderstaffs, on Fri 20 Mar 11:45PM

  17. POINT 20 I THINK YOUL FIND ITS YOUR TEAM THAT NEEDS TO­ CATCH UP WE HAVE 51 TITLES ! YOU DONT

    From nosurrenderstaffs, on Fri 20 Mar 11:43PM

  18. POINT 4 MARTY PUTS US THROUGH TORTURE EVERY TIME HE­ COMMENTS WITH THAT FUKN PIGOLIC PIC

    From nosurrenderstaffs, on Fri 20 Mar 11:39PM

  19. nobenderstiffs up early for giro saturday aint she....!

    From chas_fyffe, on Fri 20 Mar 11:37PM

  20. BLUE NOSES ARE BORN NOT MANUFACTURED ,WE DO NOT CHOOSE­ WE ARE CHOSEN ,THOSE WHO DON'T UNDERSTAND DON'T­ MATTER THOSE WHO UNDERSTAND NEED NO EXPLANATION ! WE­ ARE THE PEOPLE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    From nosurrenderstaffs, on Fri 20 Mar 11:36PM
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