Celtic, Rangers boosted by returning players

Just one point separates Celtic and Rangers at the top of the Scottish Premier League as they head into their first games following the league split.

With five games left, the Hoops hold the advantage as they bid to win their fourth league title in a row.

The Parkhead side have the perfect opportunity to heap pressure on their city neighbours when they take on Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Saturday, a day before Rangers run out at Ibrox for their match against Hearts.

A win would allow Celtic to go into next week’s final Old Firm clash of the season ahead of their ancient rivals.

And Gordon Strachan has been handed a timely boost with the news influential midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura is willing to play on through a hip injury to play his part in helping Celtic extend their lead in the SPL title race.

The Japanese midfield star has been struggling to shake off various knocks since his side’s last game on April 18.

“I’ve been in some discomfort and my right adductor is pretty sore,” Nakamura said.

“We have a very important game coming up against Aberdeen, so I hope I’ll be OK to play.

“We know they are a difficult opponent. But it’s a game we really need to win.”

Captain Stephen McManus, Barry Robson, Darren O’Dea and Georgios Samaras are also making good progress while Shaun Maloney is ready to start his first game since suffering a recurrence of his hamstring injury in February.

Rangers have been given a huge boost ahead of their clash with Hearts on Sunday with the news several players are expected to return from injury.

Walter Smith should be able to include Lee McCulloch, Sasa Papac, DaMarcus Beasley and Kyle Lafferty in the squad for Sunday’s clash.

Midfielder Pedro Mendes may also make the game after recovering well from a knee injury which saw him stretchered off in last week’s Scottish Cup semi-final triumph over St Mirren.

However, the Ibrox boss will be without Algerian defender Madjid Bougherra due to suspension.

Rangers are looking to win their sixth straight game for the first time this season and Smith insists points on the board are more important than how his squad plays.

“I don’t think I’ll be bothered that much about how the team has played if we get the results we’re looking for,” Smith said.

“We have to keep building a winning run. The crux of the whole championship is that you have to hit form at the right time.

“We’ve been behind Celtic for a lot of this year’s championship and they’re in front at the moment but whoever wins it is going to have to do really well in the last five games.”

Csaba Lazlo will be without Lithuanian midfielders Saulius Mikoliunas and Deividas Cesnauskis who have been released by the Jambos.

The Hearts manager can call on Young Player of the Month Calum Elliot in their bid to claim a European spot.

In Saturday’s other games, bottom club Falkirk go back to reality with a game against Motherwell following their Scottish Cup semi-final win last weekend.

Hamilton take on Kilmarnock at New Douglas Park and St Mirren host Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the other bottom six fixtures.

Elsewhere, Dundee United travel to Easter Road to take on Hibernian in their quest to catch Hearts for the European place.

Fixtures (1400GMT unless otherwise stated)

Saturday

Aberdeen v Celtic (1130GMT)

Falkirk v Motherwell

Hamilton v Kilmarnock

Hibernian v Dundee United

St Mirren v Inverness CT

Sunday

Rangers v Hearts (1430GMT)