Scottish Football: Aberdeen await greatest test

SATURDAY'S efforts were merely preliminary openers for the action ahead this week - both on and off the park. It was an undistinguished day, with the most notable result being Aberdeen's dropped point at Tannadice Park, which allowed Rangers to extend their Premier Division lead to six points.

It makes Wednesday's rearranged match between the two at Pittodrie a vital one, with the hopes of many - including Celtic - resting on the Dons. It will be Scottish football versus Rangers.

The Ibrox side have already shown this season that they can take on anyone and everyone. Brockville Park, Falkirk, was Saturday's setting for their 2-1 win; while, in the city of discovery, Aberdeen were found wanting in conceding a two-goal lead to Dundee United. Willie Miller, their manager, will ensure they are not as generous on Wednesday.

Celtic secured a rather tame 1-0 win over Dundee at Parkhead, thanks to an Andy Payton goal. It was a match which was no great spectacle, according to Tommy Craig, Celtic's assistant manager. It will be seen as a calm interlude before the threatened storm of Wednesday's Annual General Meeting, with shareholders angry at the way the club has been allowed to accumulate an overdraft of almost pounds 5m.

Motherwell, at the bottom of the Premier Division, were thankful for another two points in the bank after a 2-0 win over their Lanarkshire rivals, Airdrieonians. Their first away win for nine months gave them five points from their last three games and continued their rescue bid.

Two goals from Gary Clark helped the holders, Hamilton Academical, retain the B & Q Cup with a 3-2 win over Morton at Love Street, Paisley, yesterday.

Clark, the son of the former Celtic player and 'Lisbon Lion', John Clark, scored after 13 and 35 minutes to give the Accies a 2-1 half-time advantage, after Rowan Alexander had given Morton the lead. Chris Hillcoat scored a third for Hamilton before Alexander reduced the deficit with seven minutes remaining.