RANGERS returned to the training pitch yesterday when they were

instructed to run off any festive excesses, and the gaze of the

management lingered long on one player in particular, Oleg Kuznetsov.

The Ukrainian had been a source of concern to Walter Smith before

Christmas because he had gone away to nurse a damaged ankle, and the

manager suspected the central defender would not be fit in time to play

in tomorrow's match against Dunfermline at Ibrox. However, after having

watched the player train yesterday Smith was much more optimistic.

Kuznetsov, in fact, will be alongside Richard Gough at the heart of

the defensive line, provided he does not suffer any overnight reaction

to his work out. ''I expect him to be available for Saturday's game,''

Smith said, ''which is good for us and him because he is taking time

settling into our system.''

Gradually Smith is managing to persuade Kuznetsov to subdue his

instinct to man mark in favour of Rangers' zonal defensive system, and

recent signs have been encouraging. Once the player is comfortable with

the system Smith believes we will then see the full range of his

capabilities.

''I am hoping Oleg will then start bringing the ball forward out of

defence, and although we have seen him do this on occasion I think

perhaps he has been holding back because he is having to work so hard to

fit into our system, which is different from the one he was used to.''

Smith's idea is to utilise Kuznetsov's skills while in possession and

assist the midfield in breaking down the heavily-manned defences which

Rangers often come across. ''Every week we find we have to get forward

looking for a win. We have to play in every game and it's important that

we have people who can deliver passes,'' the manager added. ''Oleg is a

player capable of doing exactly that.''

While the 28-year-old acquaints himself properly with what is required

of him, it is not as though he is being asked to work without a safety

net. He knows the captain, Gough, is usually somewhere close and ready

to step in and fill any gaps should he forget and wander back into old

habits, but both players are aware there are one or two strikers in the

premier division capable of exploiting any uncertainty.

Playing in defence can be something of an exact science and Smith is

hoping Kuznetsov gets it right soon, although tomorrow's match ought to

help further his education and understanding with Gough. Both will need

to be on the same frequency at Celtic Park on New Year's Day, when

players like Charlie Nicholas and Paul McStay will be looking for even

the slightest crack in the Ibrox side's defensive armour.

Before preparing for the Old Firm match, however, Celtic have to

negotiate a journey in and out of Aberdeen knowing that they cannot

afford to lose any more points if the premier-division championship is

to become their own. They are seven points behind Rangers and nine

adrift of the leaders, Hearts, and their confidence would not be high if

they had to approach the first game of the new year nine behind their

traditional rivals.

Celtic have to beat Aberdeen, or at least avoid defeat themselves, but

they could be boosted with the return of Tony Mowbray, who has missed

six games because of an injured Achilles tendon. The Englishman made his

debut against Aberdeen at the beginning of November when Celtic won 2-1,

but it was in the next match, against Hearts, that he was injured.

Celtic's cause has not been helped either by the absence of Gary

Gillespie, who has a knee injury, and he will not play at Pittodrie. In

fact, it is extremely likely he also will miss the Old Firm game.

The Dons, who are already 13 points behind Hearts, can't even begin to

think about losing to Celtic because there would be no way back for them

if they do. Frustration must be eating away at Aberdeen's manager Alex

Smith because it was not so very long ago his team was at the top of the

league and looking good.

Smith will recall captain Alex McLeish tomorrow. The veteran defender

admits that his form since returning from an ankle stress fracture has

been below his old standards, and he was dropped for one game as he

continued to struggle.

But manager Alex Smith said yesterday: ''McLeish was not 100% fit when

he returned. He is now over the foot injury and looking much better.''

Smith also has Paul Mason, Ian Cameron and Stephen Wright available

for the sell-out match.