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HE measures only about five foot six in his Celtic socks but last night little Scott McDonald found it within himself to grow extra inches and save Celtic's title defence just when all hope seemed lost.

On an evening so drenched in drama it took the breath away the Aussie recovered from missing a second-half penalty to set-up strikemate Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink for a winning goal in injury time which means Gordon Strachan's title defence is alive and kicking again.

McDonald threw himself at a deep cross, jumping higher than his marker, to head the ball across goal and when the Dutchman applied the finishing touch the former Motherwell man slumped to his knees in sheer relief.

It was a barnstorming climax to a thrilling match which would end in angry and chaotic scenes as the bad blood spilled over on the final blast of Kenny Clark's whistle and players squared up.

In the centre of it all was another little big man, Nacho Novo, who had fired Rangers level after coming ... Read more »

Sasa Papac says the pressure is all on Celtic in the title run-in after Rangers extended their lead to seven points with a draw at Dundee United.

Rangers also have a game in hand and are next in league action at Celtic Park on 16 April.

"Maybe we missed an opportunity to go further ahead because we didn't win, but all the pressure is on Celtic now," the defender told the Rangers website.

"We can win the League, and a draw at Celtic Park would be good for us."

The Ibrox side battled back three times to finish at 3-3 in an entertaining encounter at Tannadice on Sunday.

The previous day, rivals Celtic suffered a serious blow to their hopes of retaining the title as they slipped to a 1-0 defeat to Motherwell.

That left Walter Smith's men with the chance to go nine points clear at the top of the table, although they met with a spirited United side.

"It's never easy at Tannadice and we lost the last time we went there," said Papac.

"But, we've gone another poi ... Read more »

Celtic have appointed former captain Neil Lennon to the club's coaching staff and he will be in the dugout for Saturday's SPL game against Motherwell.

Lennon, 36, left Celtic Park last summer and has had playing spells at Nottingham Forest and Wycombe.

"I am overwhelmed at being offered this chance to return to Celtic, a place where everyone knows my heart lies," Lennon said.

"Returning to Celtic and being part of the coaching set-up is phenomenal."

CELTIC keeper Artur Boruc has previous when it comes to succeeding in nailbiting title run-ins.

And, as the Pole gets himself ready for Saturday's Old Firm showdown at Ibrox, the fans favourite insists focus will be the key for Gordon Strachan's troops at the home of their biggest rivals.

Celtic have coasted to the championship in each of the manager's first two seasons in Glasgow's East End, but they face a mighty fight to secure a third successive flag.

Rangers hold the advantage in the race going into this weekend's crunch clash and serious questions will be asked of the Hoops squad in the remaining matches.

Boruc, though, has been at the centre of a tight title fight in the past and emerged victorious.

The season before he moved to Celtic, the keeper and his Legia Warsaw team-mates won a tense championship battle with rivals Wisla Krakow by a single point after a nerve-shredding end to the campaign.

Something similar looks likely to happen in the SPL three y ... Read more »

Chris Innes has been made redundant by Gretna's administrator
Eight senior players and the former owner's son have followed ex-captain Chris Innes and six community coaches in being made redundant by Gretna.

Aurélien Collin, Mickael Buscher, Henry Makinwa, David Mathieson, David Bingham, Mark Birch, Erik Paartalu and Michael Tait have been axed.

The latter four players were on loan to other clubs.

Operations director Craig Mileson, son of Brooks Mileson, is also out along with 13 youth players.

It was Mileson's ill-health and withdrawal of financial backing for the relegation-bound Scottish Premier League club that led to its slide into administration two weeks ago.

A formal redundancy letter has also been received by former chief executive Graeme Muir, two weeks after he told the club he was quitting.

Discussions are continuing with the SPL to facilitate the completion of fixtures to the end of the season

Gretna statement

The 21-year-old P ... Read more »

CELTIC look set to kill off any chance of an extended SPL season by taking Gordon Strachan's team out of the country before the end of the domestic campaign.

Record Sport understands the Parkhead club are trying to fix up a tour of Japan that would see them jetting out of Glasgow immediately after the last scheduled round of SPL fixtures on May 18 and ahead of the Scottish Cup Final at Hampden. And this plan will scupper Rangers' hopes of persuading league bosses to save them from a potentially crippling title run-in.

We revealed last week how the Ibrox club have held crisis talks with SPL secretary Iain Blair in a bid to thrash out an emergency schedule that would kick in if Rangers beat Sporting Lisbon to reach the UEFA Cup semi-finals.

The SPL have tabled a proposal that would force Walter Smith's side to squeeze four of their final five league games into a frantic eight-day period - the week before a possible UEFA Cup Final.

Smith and Rangers' chief executive Martin ... Read more »

NACHO NOVO swirled an imaginary glass of wine in honour of buddy Dado Prso after scoring the goal that clinched victory for Rangers against Hibs on Saturday.

But the little striker is adamant that a vintage victory over Celtic in Saturday's crucial Ibrox Old Firm showdown won't be the signal to start raising the champagne flutes.

Novo netted the crucial second goal 11 minutes from time against Hibs to secure a victory that kept Walter Smith's pacesetters firmly in control of the SPL title race.

The win was Rangers' 12th successive victory in the championship marathon and holders Celtic are battling to keep their bitter rivals in sight.

Smith's men have a points advantage and a game in hand over the Hoops as the season hurtles to a conclusion and the outcome of this week's Old Firm game is likely to play a pivotal role in deciding who will lift the silverware.

Most of the Light Blue legions feel that, after a 3-0 win earlier this term, a second home victory over Gord ... Read more »

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan turned his attention to next week's Old Firm encounter after beating Gretna 3-0.

"Once we scored we were reasonably comfortable," he told BBC Sport. "But we played a lot better in the previous two games without getting the breaks.

"I'm really looking forward to it," he said when asked about the forthcoming visit to Ibrox.

"These games are a mental and physical test. If you are not prepared they will chew you up and spit you out."

Rangers have a three point lead over Celtic and have played a game less.

Celtic ended a run of four games without a win at Almondvale but Strachan pointed out the excellent league form of both sides.

"Their form has been exceptional - they've won their last 12 games," said the manager.

"In our last 11, we've won 10 and drawn one."

Rangers face a pile-up of games due to their continued involvement in the Uefa Cup, Scottish Cup and two outstanding SPL matches.

Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell ... Read more »

Peter Lawwell believes any delay would damage the SPL
Celtic would "strongly oppose" any extension of the Scottish Premier League season, the club's chief executive has warned.

Peter Lawwell was speaking as the SPL announced the date of Celtic's re-arranged fixture against title rivals Rangers amid fixture congestion.

"Clearly, an extension is something which we would be strongly opposed to," he said.

"Thankfully, it seems the integrity of the league will not be threatened."

Lawwell suggested that the SPL would be damaged "by playing any more games away from home stadia or by extending the season".

Celtic will on Sunday face Gretna at Livingston's Almondvale Stadium after problems at Fir Park, Motherwell, where the south of Scotland side are tenants.

The SPL have had a very testing time and we appreciate all they have done in trying to re-schedule matches

Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell

Following eight postponed games in two months, ho ... Read more »

Celtic will now host Glasgow rivals Rangers on 16 April
Celtic and Rangers will play their postponed New Year fixture on Wednesday 16 April, with a 1945 BST kick-off.

The 2 January tie was cancelled as a mark of respect following the death of Motherwell captain Phil O'Donnell.

It was resheduled for 23 January but that, in turn, was changed when Rangers had to rearrange their Scottish Cup tie with East Stirlingshire.

SPL leaders Rangers next entertain nearest rivals Celtic on league duty on Saturday 29 March, with a 1230 start.

April promises to be a hectic month for Rangers, with a Uefa Cup quarter-final tie against Sporting Lisbon to be played on the 3rd and 10th.

Their Scottish Cup quarter-final replay at Partick Thistle is on the 13th.

Should Walter Smith's side prevail at Firhill, the semi-final will be played at Hampden on 20 April.

And, if Rangers progress to the semi-final of the Uefa Cup, they will come up against either PSV Eindhoven or Fiore ... Read more »