Football: Ibrox fans feel no love for Amoruso

DESPITE, OR because of, their years of success, Rangers supporters have become the most demanding in Scotland, maybe even Britain.

Never slow to turn against their team, they can be merciless to individuals, and Lorenzo Amoruso is the latest to suffer. The Italian, who assumed the captain's armband from Richard Gough, has not yet impressed Rangers fans with the confidence they seek in the team leader. Blamed in some quarters for last season's Tennent's Scottish Cup final defeat by Hearts, when his hesitation allowed Stephane Adam the chance to score the winner, now he is seen as a weak link in the defence.

Comments by Amoruso suggest he sees himself as a better player than the public appreciates, but again on Saturday he delayed inside the penalty area to allow Billy Dodds to give Dundee United the lead.

United's spirited first-half performance elicited jeers on the whistle and although they came back to win, Rangers were far from convincing. Rod Wallace supplied the equaliser, and although Amoruso claimed the winner when it appeared that Siggi Johnsson headed into his own net, not even a goal would endear him to those who would have Colin Hendry lead the team.

The winner, scored in the 84th minute, highlighted Ranger's determination to fight to the end of games. Goals have been scored in the last 10 minutes in 11 of the 17 matches in which they have scored this season. They are also likely to add Stephane Guivarc'h to their squad this week.

Celtic trail their rivals by seven points after losing to Kilmarnock, whose 2-0 victory left them just one point behind Rangers. Celtic lost Craig Burley to injury and Stephane Mahe to a red card. In addition they will be without Paul Lambert for the forthcoming Old Firm game.

John Spencer scored his second goal in as many games as Motherwell came back from 2-0 down to draw with Aberdeen, who have played 11 games without a win. Spencer, on loan from Everton, until the end of the season has indicated his desire to stay longer.