Celtic stumble at the first

THE essential - and potentially decisive - difference between Rangers and Celtic is that, when the keys are mislaid, the Ibrox side have the strength to take the door off its hinges. Parkhead's more sensitive types persist in trying to pick the lock, a frequently intricate and ultimately unrewarding process on those days when their touch is even marginally less delicate than required.

It is an advantage Rangers have enjoyed for years and one which Tommy Burns, the Celtic manager, recognises. "To close that gap between us," Burns said the other day, "we have to improve what we are best at, which is playing the controlled, passing game that has always been our hallmark."

As admirable as Burns's philosophy may be, it is one which cannot work over the course of an entire league championship schedule. On the Premier Division's opening day, it was revealed as unable to sustain itself even for 90 minutes. During a first hour of almost uninterrupted excellence at Pittodrie, Celtic should have swallowed Aberdeen.

The free kick with which Pierre van Hooydonk gave them a 1-0 lead midway through the first half seemed a distorted reflection of their superiority. But when Aberdeen changed their formation - bringing the striker, Duncan Shearer, off the bench to join Dean Windass and removing the tiring debutant, Tzvetanov, from the left wing-back position - the visitors were eventually worried out of the authority they had imposed.

Alan Stubbs, making his first appearance after his £3.5 million move from Bolton, failed to control the ball in his own area, pushed it towards Shearer, and was then sent off for the trip which brought the penalty from which the home side equalised through Windass. When Shearer gave Aberdeen the lead soon after, it was difficult to imagine Rangers having conceded such an advantage.

In similar circumstances, the champions have a habit of ensuring that the prey does not break free of the bite. Thorn's last-minute equaliser gave Celtic a draw which, on the balance of play, was the least they deserved. But, as well as Stubbs's automatic one-match suspension, they face further trouble with full-back Tosh McKinlay, who is to be reported to the SFA by referee Hugh Dallas for misbehaviour; after the final whistle.

McKinlay was involved in a mild altercation with David Rowson, the Aberdeen substitute, and is believed to have said something out of order to the referee.

Rangers were not at their most impressive in the home match with Raith Rovers, but their refusal to allow indifferent form to affect them was reflected in the 1-0 victory secured by Trevor Steven's goal.