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{ McCoist 'thrilled' by Rangers job(UKPA) – 1 hour ago

Ally McCoist declared himself as excited as he had ever been as he was unveiled as the latest Rangers manager.

Rangers on Tuesday afternoon confirmed McCoist's anticipated succession to the Ibrox hotseat when Walter Smith steps down in the summer. McCoist, the club's record goalscorer, has been viewed as the natural successor to Smith since the early stages of his four-year stint as assistant manager.

"I'm thrilled to bits, it's as exciting a time as I can think of," McCoist said.

"I was lucky enough to play for the club for 15 years but this is an absolute dream and a privilege.

"(Rangers chief executive) Martin Bain and I had a few discussions, and Walter was heavily involved, and once I was offered the job, my automatic reaction was to say yes.

"Rangers have always been my team. I know the club inside out, I know the people, the fans, the players and I know how important this football club is to everyone and hopefully I can bring them success."

But McCoist was keen not to wallow in the moment too long as Rangers look to bounce back from their weekend Old Firm defeat when they play Sporting Lisbon in the Europa League on Thursday.

"It's a little bit of a relief in respect that we can now hopefully put it to bed," he said.

"This is a wonderful moment but I'm sure everyone is aware of the importance of between now and the end of the season. We're still heavily involved in four trophies."

Copyright © 2011 The Press Association. All rights reserved.

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Labels: aposthrilledapos, Association, McCoist, Press, Rangers

{ Champions League: Steven Naismith, Glasgow Rangers (Getty Images)Rangers winger Steven Naismith is set to be sidelined for the Europa League clash at Sporting Lisbon on Thursday in Portugal after aggrevating a hamstring injury in the 3-0 defeat to Celtic.

The 24-year-old was involved in a car crash in December after which the first signs of a hamstring problem appeared and has been plagued by the problem since.

Naismith has already been ruled out of games in January and could well be sidelined for the next Europa League tie.

"Steven's problem has been a difficult one for everyone at the club to treat and diagnose," Rangers' boss Walter Smith told his side's official website.

"There are times when he starts to feel better and it seems he is able to play but then it flares up again.

"Obviously we'll have to give enough time this time to make sure he fully recovers from the problem.

"I would say it is more than likely he will miss the trip to Portugal now and that's a setback with us.

"Without having spoken to the doctor or the physios about it, I'd imagine he will have to take a fair amount of time out before he can come back."

The Hoops now have an eight point SPL lead over their fierce rivals, although Walter Smith's side have two games in hand.

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Labels: clash, Goalcom, Lisbon, Naismith, Rangers, ruled, Sporting, Steven, winger

{ Just another game: Neil Lennon is playing down the significance of the SPL clash with Rangers. Pic: © SNS Group

Neil Lennon has said he plays down the importance of matches against Rangers as he prepares his players for Sunday’s Old Firm game. The Celtic manager said he just wants to keep a run of positive results going, regardless of opposition.

The Glasgow rivals meet in the SPL this weekend to play the fourth of seven matches between the sides this season. The match at Parkhead could play a major part in deciding the title race but Lennon has said that it counts the same as any other.

"(Nerves) have not been evident so far and we try to play down the fact it's an Old Firm game,” Lennon told Celtic’s official website.

"We don't really mention the opposition until the day before the game. We just try to keep it as normal as possible.

"We do that because it's just another league game, the outcome is three points. It's important we keep the run going no matter who we are playing and it just happens to be Rangers this weekend."

Celtic’s performance at Ibrox in the 2-2 draw earlier this month has many tipping the side to win this weekend but Lennon warned that the outcome of an Old Firm game can’t be predicted on previous results.

"Every Old Firm game is different," he said. "Regardless of what happened at Ibrox, this will be a different game.

"We will take the positives from it but not be kidded on about it.

"They are a good team, they are the champions. They are very difficult to beat and have a good mentality about them as well."

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Labels: about, Lennon, Rangers, stvtv, talking, Weaposre

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2212: That's enough from me. Thanks for your company. You can read Andy Campbell's match report here and we'll have reaction from Rangers manager Walter Smith later. 2210: Rangers goalscorer Steven Whittaker:"The tie is still alive for us. We just need to go over there and score and I'm sure we're capable of doing the job." 2207: "I was expecting a defensive player to come on around 85 minutes. One, to waste a bit of time and, two, to shore things up and make the team more solid. I was astonished that changes weren't made." BBC Radio Scotland pundit Billy Dodds. 2202: It was all looking so good for Rangers but 1-1 at home is a horrible first leg score. How do Rangers approach the return in Lisbon? They will have to score to progress and look blunt in attack without the ineligible Nikica Jelavic. 2157: Full-time: Rangers 1-1 Sporting
That's a sore one for Rangers, losing a goal so late. Increased aggression paid off early in the second half and Steven Whittaker's header put the home side in a strong position before that late sucker-punch. Kyle Lafferty squandered a number of good chances on a night he won't look back on with much fondness. 2155: Lafferty is free once more but again hits the ball straight at the visiting goalkeeper. That's just not good enough at this level. 2154: Kyle Lafferty drives through the middle and smacks a shot at Rui Patricio. The big striker heads the rebound straight back at the keeper, who makes a flashy diving save for the cameras. Rangers are punished for sitting deep and not closing down their opponents as Joao Pereira speeds down the right flank and delivers a cross for the unmarked Matias Fernandez to steer into the bottom corner of the net with his head. 2152: GOAL Rangers 1-1 Sporting (Fernandez) 2149: Helder Postiga is off as Sporting make the last of their permitted three changes. Walter Smith has not used any of his substitutes. 2147: Sporting are seeing much more of the ball now but the Rangers defence is standing firm. 2144: Rangers are sitting deeper now, with a few legs looking weary in the home ranks. Kyle Lafferty picks up a booking for mouthing off. 2140: Sporting's tubby midfield schemer Maniche tosses the tracksuit top handed to him away in disgust as he is taken off. The visitors must be frustrated after their bright first-half performance. 2137: Vladimir Weiss is booked for kicking the ball away in frustration after his galloping run down the left is brought to a halt, with the linesman deciding the ball had gone out of play. 2135: Will Rangers continue to show the same aggression now they are in front or will they try and protect their 1-0 lead? 2133: "It's being played like a real cup tie now." BBC Radio Scotland commentator David Begg is enjoying the game at Ibrox. The increased tempo from Rangers pays dividends as good work from Diouf earns a corner. Vladimir Weiss swings in an excellent delivery and Steven Whittaker rises highest to thump home a header from seven yards. 2129: GOAL! Rangers 1-0 Sporting (Whittaker) 2127: That thrilling run from Weiss has cranked up the volume from the fans in Glasgow but Steven Whittaker can make nothing of the resultant free-kick. 2126: Vladimir Weiss drives from inside his own half to the edge of the opposition penalty area, only to be manhandled by Daniel Carrico. The Sporting skipper is booked and will miss the return leg. 2124: Cristiano fires a long-range strike wide after some neat ball-juggling from Postiga. 2122: Sporting appear to have weathered that storm from Rangers. The visitors are looking composed again and the decibel level has dropped inside Ibrox. 2119: Kyle Lafferty finds room to drive at the Sporting defence but does not advance far before a well-timed tackle from Daniel Carrico stops him in his tracks. 2116:Colin, Royston, via text on 80295: "Can someone ask the Rangers management team WHY Kyle Bartley isn't playing tonight? The lad was outstanding on Saturday." 2113: That's 1-1 in terms of bookings as Yannick Djalo fails to impress the referee with a daft theatrical tumble in the middle of the park. 2110: Rangers look fired up now and the atmosphere in the ground has picked up as Lafferty sees an effort blocked and it's a third corner for the home side since the second half started. 2108: Great chance for Rangers! Lafferty flicks the ball on to Steven Whittaker, who keeps his shot low from the edge of the penalty area, but Rui Patricio does enough to usher the ball out. 2107: The Rangers team are back out. No changes in personnel. 2104:BBC Radio Scotland's Chick Young is calling for Diouf to be hooked at half-time, while fellow pundit Gordon Smith would like to see Kyle Bartley come on, with Steven Whittaker moving back to his regular beat at right-back. All are agreed that Rangers need to improve after the break. 2054: Half-time; Rangers 0-0 Sporting
Sporting have bossed possession in the first 45 minutes but the two best chances have fallen to Rangers' lone striker Kyle Lafferty, who headed high and wide on both occasions. 2052: First booking of the night goes to El-Hadji Diouf for simulation. He shirked out of a tackle that never materialised and it probably didn't help that he'd been having a good moan at the ref earlier. 2051: Another wasted header from Kyle Lafferty. The big man got up well to reach a cross from Weiss but put too much on it and sent the ball high and wide from six yards. 2050: It's warming up now as Steven Whittaker's drilled shot from 22 yards draws an unconvincing save from Rui Patricio. Lafferty is flagged offside as he reaches the loose ball. 2048: More good work from the impressive Postiga in the Rangers penalty area sets up Yannick Djalo but Allan McGregor spreads himself well to make a vital blocking save. 2047: "Pedro Mendes has been roundly applauded by the home fans when taking corner kicks. Thank goodness they've found something to cheer in this desperately poor match," BBC Scotland's Alasdair Lamont at Ibrox. 2046: A headed clearance from Pedro Mendes falls to Steven Whittaker on the edge of the penalty box but the home midfielder's awkward first-time volley floats well wide. 2044: Rangers are wilting a bit under pressure as Postiga heads wastefully wide and the home fans are very quiet as half time approaches. 2041: Two quick corners for Sporting but Rangers see off the danger without too much trouble. 2040: David Weir makes a crucial intervention on the edge of the penalty area as two Sporting players looked to profit from a slack piece of play from Steven Davis. 2038: Rangers threaten for the first time as Diouf whips in a good cross from the right and Lafferty sends a stooping header over the crossbar from a near-post position. 2036: "It's going to be like this all night for Rangers. Rock solid, not taking too many chances. Not gambling." BBC Radio Scotland pundit Billy Dodds has lost some of his earlier enthusiasm. 2033: Still 0-0 and it's been pretty scruffy stuff. It's all very narrow from Rangers, with neither full-back able to push on. 2031: Steven Whittaker, playing wide in midfield tonight, is having a bit of a mini-'mare. In the last few minutes, he's given the ball away three times. 2029: First corner of the game goes to Sporting after an ambitious shot from Evaldo is deflected wide. Pedro Mendes swings in a good delivery and Daniel Carrico heads over from a near-post position. 2026: The home crowd are on their feet after an enterprising run down the left from Vladimir Weiss but the move comes to nothing. Play quickly switches to the other end and Postiga drills an angled shot a yard or so wide. 2024: A miraculous recovery from the Rangers defender. Bougherra is back on his feet and Bartley is pulling his trackie top back on. 2023: Ouch! Madjid Bougherra is clutching his shoulder in agony after an awkward fall. Kyle Bartley is getting ready to come on if the big Algerian doesn't recover. 2020: The Portuguese side have just shaded the opening 15 minutes but neither goalkeeper has had much to do. Diouf and Weiss have been quiet for Rangers. 2018: Apologies for the lack of BBC Radio Scotland commentary online. Contractual reasons, I'm afraid... 2016: Kyle Lafferty takes a tumble on the edge of the penalty area, only to get a withering look and a shake of the head from German referee Manuel Grafe. 2012: Madjid Bougherra and Helder Postiga trade long-range shots. The effort from the Rangers defender bobbles gently into the arms of goalkeeper Rui Patricio, while the former Tottenham striker finds row R in the Copeland Road Stand. 2011: El-Hadji Diouf has made a bright start to the Scottish chapter of his often-turbulent career and the Rangers fans have taken a real shine to the on-loan Blackburn man. A new streak of blue hair on his mostly-shaven head suggests the warm feeling is mutual. 2009: Sporting are knocking the ball around neatly in the opening exchanges. No goalmouth action to report. 2005: Sporting kick off, wearing white shirts and black shorts. The visitors have ditched their usual green and white hoops. Maybe they didn't want to upset the locals any more than they had to. 2002: The teams are in the tunnel at Ibrox; not long now... 1958: Rangers sub Jamie Ness has hurt himself in the warm-up and his place on the bench has been taken by Greg Wylde. 1954:BBC Radio Scotland expert Gordon Smith tells us why 1-0 would be a great result for his old team. "It gives you a win, with no goals against," he explains earnestly. Whatever he's getting paid, it's not enough! His esteemed colleague Chick Young is going for "1-0 either way or a 0-0". Talk about hedging your bets. 1948: An anonymous text from a Newcastle fan (referring to the link with Allan McGregor) on 80295: "Chick couldn't be further from truth. nufc don't need a goalie - targets are in Sporting line-up. Tyneside press have been talking for weeks about nufc trying to buy Fernandez and Djalo." 1946: Rangers can boast an excellent record against Sporting, having beaten the Portuguese on the two previous occasions they have been drawn together in Europe. The Ibrox side prevailed on away goals as they went on to win the Cup Winners' Cup in 1972 and they won 2-0 in Lisbon after a 0-0 in Glasgow en route to the 2008 Uefa Cup final. 1939:BBC Radio Scotland's Chick Young has described the Rangers line-up as "very un-Walter-like", referring to Mr Smith's previous penchant for a defensive formation in European ties. 1935: Sporting are going through a hard time financially and leading goalscorer Liedson was allowed to return to Brazil in January. Sound familiar? Rangers' stringent belt-tightening has been well documented in recent seasons and 22-goal Kenny Miller moved on mid-campaign. The similarities come to a screeching halt when it comes to team colours; the Portuguese sport green and white hoops... 1930: The BBC Radio Scotland team reckon Newcastle are keeping tabs on Rangers keeper Allan McGregor tonight. 1924: "I think Rangers can get to the final again, and win it this time," BBC Radio Scotland pundit Billy Dodds is getting a little ahead of himself but you can't fault the former Ibrox forward's enthusiasm. 1919: We have a Scottish team in Europe beyond Christmas for the first time since Rangers reached the Uefa Cup final in 2008. With Jelavic out and Kenny Miller now plying his trade in Turkey, a lot rests on the angular shoulders of big Kyle Lafferty. However, manager Walter Smith will want El-Hadji Diouf, Vladimir Weiss and Steven Whittaker to drive on and support the lone striker. Sporting are struggling on the home front and an early goal for the hosts would be a real test of their mettle. Ibrox isn't a sell-out but we should be in for a noisy night of drama. 1914: Former Rangers favourite Pedro Mendes lines up in the Sporting engine room, alongside fellow long-haired playmaker Maniche. That's a pretty handy pair of centrocampistos. 1910:TEAMS FROM IBROX:
Rangers: McGregor, Foster, Bougherra, Weir, Papac, Whittaker, Edu, Davis, Weiss, Diouf, Lafferty. Subs: Alexander, Fleck, Naismith, Healy, Bartley, Ness, Hutton.
Sporting: Rui Patricio, Joao Pereira, Daniel Carrico, Anderson Polga, Evaldo, Mendes, Maniche, Zapater, Cristiano, Postiga, Djalo. Subs: Tiago, Carlos Saleiro, Fernandez, Andre Santos, Diogo Solomao, Coelho, Vukcevic.
Referee: Manuel Grafe (Germany) 1908: Rangers make three changes from the team that hammered Motherwell 6-0 at the weekend. In the absence of the cup-tied Nikica Jelavic, Kyle Lafferty leads the attack, with El-Hadji Diouf given a supporting role in a 4-4-1-1 formation. Steven Naismith is suffering from a tight hamstring so Richard Foster comes in at right-back and Steven Whittaker moves into midfield. On-loan youngster Kyle Bartley drops out to be replaced by Maurice Edu. 1905: Good evening and welcome to our coverage of Rangers v Sporting Lisbon in the last 32 of the Europa League.


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Labels: happened, Rangers, Sport, Sporting

{ Heads up: Steven Whittaker put Rangers ahead only for Sporting Lisbon to score a late equaliser Photo: ACTION IMAGES

Just as he did in 2008 – when he scored in a 2-0 victory in the Portuguese capital - Steven Whittaker put Rangers into a position to progress in Europe with a goal that lanced through the frustration enveloping Ibrox in this below-par first-leg instalment of their Europa League tie against Sporting Lisbon. Whittaker’s breakthough came midway through the second half after El-Hadji Diouf, with his most electrifying contribution since arriving during the January transfer window, forced the Portuguese side to defend at full stretch at the cost of a corner kick.

The delivery from Vladimir Weiss was precise, the header by Whittaker venomous. However, that good work was undone by late carelessness when Matlas Fernandez, who had come in for the final quarter hour, beat Allan McGregor with a fine unopposed header to level the proceedings. Should Rangers prove capable of proceeding to a last-16 stage tie against either PSV Eindhoven or Lille, they might well find that their resources are too thin to sustain further ambition, especially because Diouf, Weiss and Kyle Lafferty all picked up entirely needless cautions.

Sporting were forced to mix and match, too, with Jaime Valdes and Leandro Grimi absent through injury for the Portuguese visitors, although Yannick Djalo had recovered from the thigh problem that had kept him inactive since Jan 3. Djalo was to cause Rangers difficulties and one cutback from the forward who had come through the Sporting youth ranks was particularly dangerous, rolling right across the unguarded goalmouth without a taker, when a tap-in would have opened the scoring.

Rangers’ problems, though, were principally of their own making thanks to carelessness in possession which was, at times, extreme.

The steadying presence of Lee McCulloch was badly missed in the holding role – at one stage even the normally cool Steven Davis was ambushed on the edge of his own penalty area and had to be rescued by David Weir – while Lafferty repeatedly failed to hold the ball long enough to allow reinforcements to arrive from midfield.

The Northern Irish forward did, though, have two opportunities to put Rangers in front, first when he met a Whittaker cross with a bulleted header that flew narrowly over the crossbar and then with a less positive effort after Vladimir Weiss had put him in with a hanging ball from the left.

The crowd, not for the first time, expressed irritation with Lafferty’s waywardness and Diouf, too, felt their ire when he chose to wait for a Bougherra pass to arrive in his vicinity and allowed Sporting to intercept. When Rangers appeared for the restart a good three minutes before the Portuguese side it could be assumed that Smith’s half-time address had consisted of words few and brief.

The impression was confirmed by the racing tempo displayed by Rangers, who forced a corner kick – their first of the evening – within 15 seconds and added another three within five minutes. Again, however, Lafferty’s contribution, while energetic, reminded the home supporters how much they missed the presence of the ineligible Nikica Jelavic.

Weiss attempted to remedy the defect with a lancing run straight through the heart of the Sporting defence, only to be hauled cynically off the ball by Daniel Campofor a free-kick that came to nothing.

The rest of the contest unfolded in a fashion familiar to denizens of Ibrox on European nights during Smith’s tenure. Sporting threw on substitutes and began to claim increasing swathes of territory while Rangers stepped back to absorb the heightened pressure, comfortably enough, it seemed, until the Fernandez intervention.

Match details

Rangers (4-4-1-1): McGregor; Foster, Bougherra, Weir, Papac; Whittaker, Edu, Davis, Weiss; Diouf; Lafferty.
Subs: Alexander (g), Fleck, Naismith, Healy, Bartley, Ness, Hutton.
Booked: Bougherra, Diouf, Weiss, Lafferty.
Sporting Lisbon (4-1-2-1-2): Rui Patricio; Pereira, Carrico, Polga, Evaldo; Mendes; Maniche (Fernandez 77), Zapater; Cristiano (Salerio 74); Postiga (Solomao 85), Djalo.
Subs: Tiago (g), Santos, Coelho, Vukcevic.
Booked: Djaio, Carrico.
Referee: M Grafe (Germany).

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Labels: Lisbon, Match, Rangers, Report, Sporting, Telegraphcouk

{

By Peter Jardine
Last updated at 1:48 AM on 2nd February 2011

Never far from controversy: El-Hadji Diouf

El Hadji Diouf last night claimed he revels in his bad-boy image - and will welcome the jeers of opposition fans.

The controversial Senegal international is set to make his Rangers debut on Werdneday against Hearts amid public outcry at his Ibrox arrival.

But Diouf, who has never been forgiven by Celtic fans for spitting at a supporter at Parkhead during the striker's Liverpool days, said: 'I know everywhere I go people are going to boo me, but I love that.

'I expect a tough time from Celtic fans. But people never boo a bad player. The more you boo me, the more I've got power and the more I'll show you who I am. I don't want people to love me, just respect me.

'A lot of things happened in the past between me and Celtic. I regret that. I was young and used to do stupid things.

'I apologise to the Celtic fans again. I joined Rangers to win the title, win a lot of trophies, and enjoy my life and enjoy the football,' he told talkSPORT.

Diouf will undoubtedly be targeted by Celtic fans during Sunday's Old Firm Scottish Cup tie at Ibrox, but manager Walter Smith last night insisted he doesn't see the 30-year-old's signing on loan from Blackburn as a risk - and urged him to let his football do the talking in Glasgow.

With Nikica Jelavic a major doubt for this evening with a groin strain, Diouf should start against Hearts following a blaze of negative publicity which culminated in bookmakers William Hill taking bets on whether he will be sent off against Celtic and how many yellow and red cards he will land in Scotland.

Remember me? Diouf once spat at Celtic fans while a Liverpool player

Yet a defiant Smith said: 'I don't see him as a risk. He maybe comes with a reputation that even the player himself might want to tidy up a bit. But that has been the case with a fair number of players and we'll just have to handle that. He has to handle that, too. I am sure he will.

'You know those things happen and we take all of that into account when we try to sign a player. Then you hope it is the football he is remembered for.'

Smith was Paul Gascoigne's boss in the 1990s when the England star had a whole series of problems off the pitch and, occasionally, on the field, as well.

No stranger to controversial stars during his two spells at Rangers, including Andy Goram and Allan McGregor, Smith admitted: 'Things have happened with quite a number of players over the period.

'With all your players you just try to make sure they have an awareness of what can happen in games if they don't keep their temper. Diouf is an experienced player and he just needs to handle that and we need to help him.'

Northern Ireland international David Healy is also in contention for a debut tonight, while 20-year-old Arsenal defender Kyle Bartley will feature in Smith's squad following his arrival on loan.

Meanwhile, Hearts midfielder Ian Black says he knows exactly who will be Public Enemy No1 at Ibrox tonight - and it won't be Diouf.

The 25-year-old is readying himself for a barrage of abuse for his challenge which put ?4million star Jelavic out of action for four months.

'I'm sure when I run out I will get a "good" reception from the crowd,' Black said. 'Do I regret making the tackle on Jelavic? No, I don't. There was no intention there to go in and hurt him. There was no malice - I wasn't trying to injure him.'

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Labels: booing, Daily, Diouf, forward, looking, people, Rangers, renewing

{ Lennon's side will now face Rangers seven times this seasonCeltic manager Neil Lennon hailed his side after they twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with Rangers at Ibrox in the Scottish Cup fifth round.

"I though we were the better team. After a ropey start we got a grip of the game and the midfielders were outstanding," he told BBC Scotland.

"We told them we believe in them and to be fair they believe in themselves.

"We kept taking the game to Rangers. The belief, character and quality we should today was top drawer."

Rangers went ahead through Jamie Ness within three minutes, before Kris Commons levelled the match at 1-1.

Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster conceded a penalty and was sent off for bringing down Steven Naismith, and Rangers went further ahead before half-time when Steven Whittaker netted the spot-kick.

Celtic captain Scott Brown curled the equaliser, before Naismith was shown a second yellow for simulation.

Forster's dismissal divided opinion, but Lennon said: "It was a fair decision. I couldn't complain.

We'll take a lot out of today, but we're delighted at the progress the players are making

"It came from us being slack and playing square balls where we shouldn't have been, at a period when we were in control of the game."

And Lennon was impressed by his team, who still managed to outplay Rangers for spells despite being a man down.

"After Brown's goal, which was a touch of quality, I thought there was only going to be one winner," said Lennon.

"On the balance of chances perhaps a draw as a fair result, but on the balance of football played I thought we were immense.

"I wouldn't say it was a typical Old firm games - but one of the better ones I suppose.

"We'll take a lot out of today, but we're delighted at the progress the players are making."

The two teams will meet again at Celtic Park in March to determine who will travel to Inverness in the quarter-finals.

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Labels: better, Celtic, Lennon, Rangers, Sport