Cash-strapped Rangers start season under cloud

Cash-strapped, injury-hit Rangers open the defence of their Scottish Premier League title against Falkirk at Ibrox on Saturday with manager Walter Smith facing a major selection headache.

In defence, Sasa Papac is injured while Kirk Broadfoot is ruled out with an ankle injury.

American midfielder Maurice Edu is out with a knee injury, Kevin Thomson is still in need of match fitness as he continues his rehabilitation and disgraced former captain Barry Ferguson has been moved on to Birmingham City.

Up front, Nacho Novo dislocated his shoulder in a training ground accident while Northern Ireland forward Kyle Lafferty is banned for the first two games of the season.

However, one selection issue that Smith will welcome is the one to decide who will start in goal against Falkirk.

Neil Alexander was handed the gloves to the end of last season but Allan McGregor, who was dropped for his behaviour while on international duty, is back in contention.

Another player Smith will be happy to have available is last season’s top-scorer Kris Boyd who has warned his teammates that Falkirk, now managed by Eddie May and assistant Steven Pressley, will be difficult opponents.

“Falkirk have caused us a lot of problems in the past and they’ve shown they can make life difficult for us,” Boyd said.

“As such, we need to go in against them with all guns blazing from the off and it’s up to us to take the game to them.”

In Saturday’s other games, Tony Mowbray makes his league debut as Celtic manager away to Aberdeen.

He has Dutch defender Glenn Loovens missing to suspension for what is a potentially difficult tie at Pittodrie just three days before a crucial Champions League play-off clash against Arsenal.

Dons manager Mark McGhee knows his side will need to drastically improve from their humiliating 8-1 defeat to Czech side Sigma Olomouc in the Europa League.

New Hibernian manager John Hughes welcomes St Mirren, who narrowly avoided relegation last season, to Easter Road.

Kilmarnock host Hamilton at Rugby Park with both sides expected to be involved in the battle against relegation and will want to get some early points on the board.

Newly-promoted St Johnstone open their campaign against Motherwell.

Derek McInnes has added to a squad which coasted to the First Division while new Motherwell manager Jim Gannon will have to pick up his players after their Europa League exit to Steaua Bucharest.

On Monday, Dundee United and Hearts clash at Tannadice.

Craig Levein will be hoping to lead his side to a European spot this season after narrowly missing out last year while Hearts are looking to mount a challenge to the Old Firm following on from last season’s third place finish.

Fixtures (1500 GMT, unless otherwise stated)

Saturday

Aberdeen v Celtic (1245), Hibernian v St Mirren, Kilmarnock v Hamilton, Rangers v Falkirk, St Johnstone v Motherwell

Monday

Dundee United v Hearts (1945)