Smith dismisses transfer speculation Gascoigne is fit and ready to face Celtic

By IAN PAUL

18 Nov 1995

ANOTHER weekend, another big match, another chance for the fiscal? Or are we getting a touch cynical ? For sure, football people will heave a collective sigh of relief if the latest high-profile games pass without serious controversy at Ibrox, where Rangers meet Celtic, and Tynecastle, where Hearts meet Hibs.

Both of tomorrow's derbies will get the full, high-tech live TV treatment which can be both blessing and curse but which is not going to disappear.

The four teams are well used to the exposure that entails and certainly, after last Saturday's happenings, know full well the consequences of stepping out of line.

Neither Old Firm manager appeared too concerned about the possibilities of misbehaviour.

In tandem, Tommy Burns, of Celtic, and Rangers' Walter Smith pointed out that there has been very little bother at their derbies in the last few years.

"These games have been notable for their football, nothing else," said Smith, who dismissed reports that Paul Gascoigne was to be sold with Chelsea the likley buyers, while Burns added: "Both sets of players are well aware of their responsibilities but there have been no problems for the last three or four years." Burns added that both clubs understand the pressures they live under, especially the way it is in Glasgow.

He also believes that as the teams play each other so often this has reduced the ferocity of the rivalry compared to times past.

For the Celtic manager, the first goal will be vital, but he would like to think that the advantage the away side seems to have these days will continue.

Smith, naturally, would like the trend to end tomorrow.

Smith will have Brian Laudrup and David Robertson back after lengthy absences, while Andy Goram also could be in his goalkeeping place again, but he and Stuart McCall will be checked out this morning.

Other news is that Charlie Miller also will be in the running.

Celtic, too, are in good fettle, with Paul McStay fit again and, after their victory over Partick Thistle, are within four points of the champions.

Smith said that Gascoigne is fit and available after his midweek game for England and indicated that new boy Derek McInnes could be in line for a place on the bench, or even better, depending on fitness checks.

Celtic were off to Seamill, their regular pre-match haunt, but before he left, Burns once again praised Rangers for the "phenomenal" start they had made in the championship.

"With both teams going well the chances are good that they will put on a show that gives people what they pay money to watch, good football." That has not been predominant in Edinburgh derbies of recent years but maybe this will be the one to change it all.

Hearts would have looked outsiders by a long shot a few weeks ago but they have revived with the advent of French keeper Gilles Rousset, as well as Italian defender Pasquale Bruno and Swedish striker Hans Eskillsson.

The latter pair have signed until the end of the season.

All three will have had a real indication of what they have let themselves in for by the time the derby is over, although Hibs are badly hampered by injury.

Keith Wright is out with a hamstring injury and Kevin Harper is almost certain to miss out because of a shoulder knock.

However, Michael O'Neill does not accept that his team's failure at Falkirk after a good run is an illustration of the same old failing.

"I wasn't at Falkirk so I don't now what went wrong but there are too many good players here for it to become a regular habit," he said.

"We have shown that we can bounce back from a disappointment and a derby would be an ideal time to do it." All three of the games scheduled for this afternoon look like tight contests.

Falkirk v Partick Thistle could be a rollicking old tussle at Brockville where former Thistle manager John Lambie, who tried in vain to persuade Paul Kane to leave Aberdeen for Falkirk, insists that even if Derek Ferguson, his biggest buy, had been fit he would not have changed the side that did so well to beat Hibs.

Thistle, athough beaten, did a lot to please their manager, Murdo MacLeod, against Celtic but despite this the Firhill manager yesterday moved to add to his player pool with a £50,000 offer to the Parkhead side for reserve defender Malky MacKay.

Aberdeen players will know that their Coca-Cola Cup final places will be in jeopardy if they fall below standards at Stark's Park, which is not the easiest of places to secure reputations.

Keeper Theo Snelders did well against Rangers last week and seems sure to keep his place, while Stewart McKimmie and Stephen Glass are fit for selection.

Motherwell travel to Rugby Park on the back of more bad news than good.

Four unnamed players are missing with flu.

Taken from the Herald