Rangers begin new era with Hamilton clash

Rangers have the chance to show there is life after Sir David Murray as they bid to continue their winning start to the season in the Scottish Premier League against Hamilton on Saturday.

The Ibrox supremo stepped down after 21 years as chairman on Wednesday with Alastair Johnston taking over the role.

Speculation abounds that the club could be set for new owners with the 57-year-old having publicly stated he is willing to sell his majority shareholdings in the Old Firm giants.

Ibrox will be buzzing on Saturday with talk of Murray and trips to Sevilla, Stuttgart and Romania for the game against Unirea Urziceni in the Champions League group stages.

But manager Walter Smith knows he must get his players minds’ fully focussed on domestic issues, starting with the game against Hamilton.

Smith knows a win would give Rangers the chance to put pressure on rivals Celtic, who don’t play Hibernian until Sunday.

Bottom club Hamilton have had a dreadful start to the season, conceding three against both Kilmarnock and Aberdeen, and have yet to score in the league.

Billy Reid’s side were also knocked out of the league cup by First Division side Ross County but Smith knows the Hamilton players will need no motivation as they plot to beat the champions on their own turf.

“I have been stressing to the players that as we are going into the season as champions it is a different situation and one that they have to handle,” Smith said.

“There is an increased pressure because teams want to beat the champions. Celtic have handled that situation in previous years and it’s our turn to do that now. We have been a little bit slow to start but there have been good aspects so we have to concentrate on that.”

Smith will be boosted by the return of Pedro Mendes to training. The Portuguese midfielder has yet to play a league game this season after picking up a thigh strain.

The Rangers manager will be desperate to see Mendes back in action as Kevin Thomson is suspended after being ordered off 12 minutes into his first start since his return from injury while Maurice Edu is still nursing a knee injury.

On Sunday, Celtic will aim to get over their Champions League heartache with a win away to Hibernian. It will be an emotional return to Easter Road for Celtic manager Tony Mowbray who left the Edinburgh club to manage West Bromwich Albion in 2006.

Both sides are undefeated so far in the league with new Hibs manager John Hughes recording wins against St Mirren and Falkirk.

Celtic captain Stephen McManus has shrugged off speculation linking him with a move to Roy Keane’s Championship side Ipswich and should be in the squad for the match as he challenges Glenn Loovens and Gary Caldwell for a centre-half spot.

New signing from Sunderland Anthony Stokes is likely to continue his partnership with Derek Riordan up front for Hibs.

Last season’s third placed finish seems like a long time ago for Hearts fans who will be hoping the Jambos can pick up their first points of the season away to newly-promoted St Johnstone.

In Saturday’s other matches Falkirk boss Eddie May takes his side to Tannadice as they look for their first points of the season against Dundee United, who have yet to lose this season.

Aberdeen manager Mark McGhee welcomes former club Motherwell to Pittodrie hoping to rack up his first home win as the new Dons boss.

A win at Rugby Park for St Mirren would see them leapfrog hosts Kilmarnock in the table before the SPL shuts down for a week due to Scotland’s World Cup qualifiers.

Fixtures (1500 GMT, unless otherwise stated)

Saturday

Aberdeen v Motherwell, Dundee United v Falkirk, Kilmarnock v St Mirren, Rangers v Hamilton

Sunday

Hibernian v Celtic (1230), St Johnstone v Hearts