CELTIC keeper Jonathan Gould reckons Rangers' announcement that they have hired a helicopter to whisk them back to Glasgow for a title knees-up could leave the defending champions with egg on their faces. Rangers are ready to race back from Tannadice this afternoon if they beat Dundee United and leaders Celtic drop points at home to St Johnstone, a combination of results that would give Walter Smith's side a record tenth Premier League crown in a row. More than 32,000 fans will be waiting for them at Ibrox, having watched live pictures beamed back from Dundee to giant screens set up on the pitch. However, Gould says that their Old Firm rivals' plans have only making his team more determined. "You have to be careful when you do things like Rangers have this week," warned Gould, whose record of 24 goals conceded in 35 games has been a key factor in Celtic's challenge for their first title since 1988. "Put it this way, I would be pretty disappointed if I did not have a championship medal by Saturday night. The last time I experienced something like this, with clubs acting before the outcome of games were known, I was at Bradford City. We had to play Blackpool in the Division Two play-offs in 1996 and lost the first leg 2-0. Then it came out in the papers that Blackpool had already booked their coach for Wembley, and we turned them over 3-0 in the second leg." Celtic coach Wim Jansen is refusing to allay fans' fears that he will walk out on the club at the end of the season, even if the Bhoys are crowned champions. The Dutchman has reportedly fallen out with club officials and wants to exercise a get-out clause in his contract, but he wouldn't comment other than to promise: "I will make an announcement soon." Rangers know that anything less than three points against Dundee United will spell the end of their decade of dominance. Full-back Alex Cleland, a transfer target of Nottingham Forest and Everton, is one of a number of players who will leave Ibrox in the summer but he would love to go out on a high by winning the title on his old ground. "It would be special to win the title at my old club, he said, and I believe it can happen." United central defender Steven Pressley (foot) is out and Mark Perry (ankle) is another doubt. Rangers must look for the three points without goalkeeper Andy Goram and midfielder Jonas Thern. Manager Walter Smith, who is also stepping away from first-team affairs to make room for Dick Advocaat, admitted: "Celtic have the destiny of the title in their own hands. All we can do is get a result and wait to see what happens in their match. But it has been a strange season for results...."

GO FOR THE KILLIE URGES WILLIAMSON   Scots Premier Previews KILMARNOCK v HIBS MANAGER Bobby Williamson has begged his Kilmarnock players for one last effort to clinch a place in next season's UEFA Cup. The Rugby Park club must beat relegated Hibernian at home today to be sure of hanging onto fourth place because St Johnstone, who are at Celtic, are just a point behind them. Williamson is desperate for a return to Europe after taking Kilmarnock into the Cup Winners' Cup this term: "This is really a big game for us and the players know what is needed. I've told the players to forget all about St Johnstone, we can't afford to have one eye on our game and another on their match. Last week's win over Rangers was great but there is no point in winning at Ibrox if we slip up here." Striker Paul Wright (back) is out, so the onus will be on Mark Roberts and Jerome Vareille to get the goals Killie need. Kevin Harper, Brian Welsh and on-loan Manchester United kid Grant Brebner are all out for Hibs. HEARTS v DUNFERMLINE Hearts will rest several players, including Steve Fulton and Colin Cameron, ahead of next week's Scottish Cup Final with Rangers. Manager Jim Jefferies is expected to give defender Gary Locke a chance to prove he is over his knee trouble and worth a place in the Final. Dunfermline captain Craig Robertson (hamstring) and Craig Faulconbridge (ankle) are struggling. MOTHERWELL v ABERDEEN Eliphas Shivute and Willie Falconer could earn recalls for the home side after impressing as subs against St Johnstone last week. Stephen Glass will play his last game for Aberdeen before joining Newcastle in the summer.

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