Ibrox will be awash with emotion this afternoon - especially if Rangers pick up three points at the expense of Kilmarnock to take the Premiership title race to the wire. Manager Walter Smith, skipper Richard Gough and Danish star Brian Laudrup will all be taking their final bows at the famous stadium and it could also be the last home match for goalkeeper Andy Goram, charismatic striker Ally McCoist and local hero Ian Durrant. New Dutch coach Dick Advocaat is certain to make wholesale changes when Smith retires as manager in the summer. Gough is returning to America to play for San Jose Earthquakes while Laudrup will head south for Chelsea. And they are hoping to bow out in a blaze of glory after helping Rangers to a record 10th successive title. But time is running out for the perennial champions. Defeat by Kilmarnock and victory for Celtic at Dunfermline on Sunday means the flag will return to Parkhead after a ten-year lapse. Kilmarnock's manager Bobby Williamson played for Rangers back in the 80s but he is in no mood to do his old club any favours. The Ayrshire club are anxious to clinch a UEFA Cup place and currently lie fourth - a point ahead of St Johnstone, who entertain Motherwell. Williamson said: "I am not concerned about who wins the title, be it Rangers or Celtic. That is not the issue for me. My only concern is winning and getting into Europe." As recently as last month, Dundee United manager Tommy McLean was thinking of Europe himself and urging his side to win their last four league games to make that dream a reality. His players' response was as sluggish as it has been for much of this season, and after defeats to Kilmarnock and St Johnstone, the two clubs really competing for a UEFA Cup place, McLean has become less ambitious. The beleaguered United boss's thoughts have sinced turned to survival with his team in eighth place and seemingly in freefall - a plight which could worsen at Hibernian tomorrow. United travel to Easter Road knowing a point would keep them up and send Hibernian down, but should they slump to a 15th league defeat of the season the equation will shift. With the Tannadice outfit's final home game seeing them meet Rangers, two consecutive defeats and wins for Hibs tomorrow and at Kilmarnock next Saturday would transform the relegation picture. For McLean victory is essential and he said: ''We don't have to talk this game up or down - we know how important this is. We must focus on the task in hand. We have to do the job by ourselves, and that means looking for victory.'' Under Alex McLeish, Hibs have been transformed from what was a faltering collection of individuals under Jim Duffy into a cohesive unit. ''Perhaps there is even less pressure on my players now because they have been written off for so long,'' said McLeish. ''I feel the amount of points collected has not reflected how well we have played in recent weeks. We know this is a game we must win, so it is up to us to produce the same fighting spirit and hopefully receive full reward for that.'' Elsewhere, Aberdeen aim to secure the point which will confirm their Premier Division status at home to Scottish Cup finalists Hearts. Dons manager Alex Miller said: ''Hearts will be playing for Cup final places. We have not had the best of seasons but want to finish in style. From our point of view, we need one point to be safe, but I won't be happy with anything less than three.'' Motherwell also need to take at least a point from their visit to St Johnstone, with manager Harri Kampman urging his men to stay calm. The Finn said: ''As long as we don't do anything silly we should be all right because Hibernian are five points behind us. ''We have created a lot of chances lately without taking them. If we can create them today, I can see us winning.''

SCOTTISH PREMIER ROUND-UP   Aberdeen (7th) v Hearts (3rd) The Dons welcome back forward Dean Windass to the fold with the former Hull man now recovered from a calf strain, but the form of Mike Newell means he could well have to settle for a place on the bench. Hearts striker Jim Hamilton is suspended, while midfielder Colin Cameron is still struggling with a pelvic problem. Stephane Adam and Stefano Salvatori,both dropped last week, are expected to return after the 3-0 loss to Rangers. Last season: Aberdeen 4-0 Hearts, Hearts 1-2 Aberdeen, Aberdeen 0-0 Hearts, Hearts 0-0 Aberdeen Last 5 League matches: Aberdeen D L D W L, Hearts W D L D L Top scorers: Billy Dodds (Aberdeen) 10; Jim Hamilton (Hearts) 15 Match odds: H 11-10 A 7-4 D 13-5 Ref: E Martindale (Newlands) Hibernian (10th) v Dundee Utd (8th) Brian Welsh is fit again after an achilles injury and Hibs boss Alex McLeish, whose team will be relegated if they fail to win, may add the experienced defender to his side, despite last week's shutout of Celtic at Parkhead. Stephen Pressley is expected to start after finally shaking off a foot injury and the defender's timing is ideal with Erik Pedersen suspended for his red card against St Johnstone. Mark Perry (ankle) faces a late fitness test. Last season: Hibernian 1-1 Dundee Utd, Dundee Utd 0-1 Hibernian, Hibernian 2-0,Dundee Utd, Dundee Utd 0-0 Hibernian Last 5 League matches: Hibernian D L W D D, Dundee Utd L D D L L Top scorers: Barry Lavety (Hibernian) 9; Kjell Olofsson (Dundee Utd) 21 Match odds: H 11-10 A 7-4 D 13-5 Ref: G Clyde (Bearsden) Rangers (2nd) v Kilmarnock (4th) Rangers have Lorenzo Amoruso back from suspension with his fellow Italian centre-half Sergio Porrini fit again from a hamstring problem. Craig Moore stands down because of suspension following his sending-off at Hearts, while midfielder Jonas Thern is ruled out because of a hamstring stain. Kilmarnock are again to expected to be without forward Paul Wright who is still fighting a back injury collected for Scotland B against Norway B last month, meaning another chance for Mark Roberts to impress. Last season: Rangers 4-2 Kilmarnock, Kilmarnock 1-4 Rangers; Rangers 1-2 Kilmarnock, Kilmarnock 1-1 Rangers Last 5 League matches: Rangers W W W L W, Kilmarnock L L D W W Top scorers: Marco Negri (Rangers) 36; Paul Wright (Kilmarnock) 14 Match odds: H 4-11 A 13-2 D 3-1 Ref: B Tait (East Kilbride) St Johnstone (5th) v Motherwell (9th Striker Paddy Connolly is fit again and likely to make the bench at least, but Nick Dasovic is ruled out through injury, while central defender Jim Weir (back) and Paul Kane (foot) are each been unable to train this week and are expected to be miss out. Motherwell boss Harri Kampman has pledged to make changes after the 3-1 home defeat to Dunfermline, but refuses to reveal his plans. Defender Brian Martin may be a candidate to be dropped after this week criticising the Finn's tactics. Last season: No corresponding fixtures Last 5 League matches: St Johnstone W W D D W, Motherwell L W D L L Top scorers: George O'Boyle (St Johnstone) 13; Owen Coyle, Tommy Coyne (Motherwell) 15 Match odds: H 4-7 A 9-2 D 12-5 Ref: M Clark (Edinburgh) Sunday, May 3 Dunfermline (6th) v Celtic (1st) The Pars will be without central defender Craig Robertson ensuring a first start for Jamie Squires, signed on a short-term contract from Preston, in the back line. Aside from long-term injury victims Stephane Mahe, Tommy Johnson and Stewart Kerr, Celtic head coach Wim Jansen has no fitness worries ahead of a game in which he could well recall Harald Brattbakk for Darren Jackson up front after last week's 0-0 home draw with Hibernian. Last season: Dunfermline 0-2 Celtic, Celtic 5-1 Dunfermline, Dunfermline 2-2, Celtic, Celtic 4-2 Dunfermline Last five League matches: Dunfermline L D D D W, Celtic D W L W D Top scorers: Andy Smith (Dunfermline) 26, Henrik Larsson (Celtic) 18 Match odds: H 13-2 A 4-11 D 3-1 Ref: J Underhill (Edinburgh)

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