THE RANGERS manager Walter Smith is not given to claiming what is not yet his and will, therefore, postpone the celebration of his team's ninth successive title until one more victory has been secured, probably against Raith Rovers in nine days' time.

If he were to order the party now, however, he would hear no quibble from his rival, Tommy Burns of Celtic. The Parkhead club's manager had effectively conceded at the end of his side's shockingly, characterless 1-1 draw at Raith. It is an indication of the lack of resolution among Burns's players, that they appear to have resigned themselves to finishing runners up even before the match began at Stark's Park.

It is a curious paradox that a Rangers team which has deteriorated in the past year seem certain to win the championship by much more than last season's four points.

More defeats have been sustained - only three last season - and more points conceded, but the gap with the others has widened.

It is hardly surprising that there are mutterings about Burns's future at Celtic Park when the club's directors, under the energetic drive of Fergus McCann, come to review the manager's three year contribution in the summer.

The appalling lack of character in the Celtic team was evident once again on Saturday, where even Paolo Di Canio's goal a minute from the end was not enough to secure victory. They were still vulnerable to Raith's headed equaliser from Craig in the dying seconds.

Smith recognises the weaknesses in his squad and is understood to be negotiating the transfer of Taribo West, Auxerre's 6ft 3in Nigerian central defender. West has another year on his contract, but the French club are willing to sell rather than lose the 23 year old under the Bosman ruling.

West is regarded as a replacement for the influential Richard Gough, the Ibrox Park club's captain who leaves next month to join Kansas City Wiz in America's Major League Soccer.