Rangers skipper insists title race far from over

Runaway league leaders Rangers have the chance to pile the pressure on rivals Celtic by moving 13 points clear at the top of the table if they win at home to St Mirren on Saturday.

A last minute Maurice Edu goal in last week’s Old Firm derby gave Walter Smith’s men a 10 point lead of the Scottish Premier League with the added bonus of a game in hand over the Hoops.

With Tony Mowbray’s side not taking on Falkirk until Sunday the Gers know they can increase the gap with a win over the Paisley Buddies at Ibrox.

In the past two seasons both sides of the Old Firm have overturned seven point advantages to claim the league title on the final day of the season, but a 13 point gap should prove insurmountable.

However Rangers captain Davie Weir is not taking anything for granted and says the title race is not over.

“Everybody here knows that is not the case. In the last two seasons the title race has gone down to the last day,” the defender said.

“I think it’ll be close again and I don’t think anything is going to be decided at this stage in the campaign.

“We just have to keep looking forward. Our results have been good lately and we’ve had a few draws, but we have stayed unbeaten for a while now so that is a big thing for us.

“Now we’ve got everyone fit, back in the squad and competing for places, hopefully that can spur everybody on. If you look back at December, we scored a lot of goals and won games comfortably.

“It would be great if we could get back to that, but football doesn’t always work like that.”

Rangers midfielder Lee McCulloch is winning his race to be fit for the game against St Mirren, giving manager Smith a full squad to pick from. The two sides will be sick of the sight of each other having met three times in the past month and will face each other in the League Cup final in two weeks time.

Celtic are away to bottom club Falkirk on Sunday. Hoops gaffer Mowbray has several players missing for the match. Defenders Glenn Loovens and Tomas Rogne are struggling with injuries meaning Darren O’Dea is likely to partner teenager Josh Thompson in the centre of defence.

Captain Scott Brown will be suspended following the failure of his appeal against the red-card he picked up in the Old Firm derby. Despite their lowly status the Bairns have a good record against Celtic this season having drawn twice with the Parkhead club.

Hamilton will hope to pull away from the relegation zone with victory over an Aberdeen side that hasn’t won in their last nine games.

Hibernian take on Kilmarnock at Easter Road. John Hughes’ side lost third spot to Dundee United and will want to reclaim it with a Killie side struggling near the bottom.

St Johnstone face a Motherwell team who are unbeaten in eight games and just four points off third spot.

The Steelmen were given a boost when Craig Brown picked up his second successive manager of the month award this week. Third-placed Dundee United are at home to Hearts, who won away to Aberdeen last weekend.

Fixtures (1500 GMT unless otherwise stated)

Saturday

Hamilton v Aberdeen

Hibernian v Kilmarnock

Rangers v St Mirren

St Johnstone v Motherwell

Sunday

Dundee United v Hearts (1530)

Falkirk v Celtic (1315)