Football: Rangers made to wait for Ferdinand

Rangers will have to wait a while longer before they will know if they can sign Les Ferdinand from Newcastle. Walter Smith, the Rangers manager, enquired about his availability last season and was told to try again in the summer. He might now have to wait until Christmas to get his man.

Smith is prepared to pay around pounds 3.5m, with David Robertson, the out of favour full-back, being used as part of a deal worth around pounds 5m. Ferdinand is thought to be keen to join Rangers, but he is only likely to move north if he fails to form a partnership with Alan Shearer. Kevin Keegan, the Newcastle manager, feels the pairing could be the one which finally wins for the club the Premiership title.

Smith has been looking for a striker over the summer and a run in the Champions' League would realise at least pounds 8m, giving him the financial clout to make his move.

Rangers began their title defence with an unconvincing 1-0 win over Raith on Saturday. Despite dominating the game they had only a goal from Trevor Steven to show for their efforts.

Celtic, who are determined to prevent their rivals stealing their ninth championship in a row record, were involved in a dramatic 90 minutes against Aberdeen at Pittodrie. A last-minute goal by Andreas Thom earned Celtic a 2-2 draw after Alan Stubbs, their pounds 3.5m signing from Bolton, was sent off for a foul on Dean Windass.

Windass scored from the resulting penalty to equalise a first-half goal from Pierre van Hooijdonk. Duncan Shearer appeared to have scored the winner for Aberdeen in the 80th minute, but Celtic displayed the determination they will require over the coming months.

Kilmarnock were the other opening-day winners, beating Hibernian 2-1 at Easter Road thanks to goals from Ally Mitchell and John Henry. In the only other Premier Division match played, newly-promoted Dundee United earned a 1-1 draw with Motherwell.

Scotland's top clubs enter the Coca-Cola Cup this week with the place in the Uefa Cup normally on offer for winning the competition in doubt.

Reports claim that European football's governing body has told the Scottish authorities that it can no longer give the League Cup winners a Uefa Cup place. However, Peter Donald, the secretary of the Scottish League, said: "This has been rumoured for some time, but it is still hearsay at the moment."