RANGERS, riddled with illness and injury, will have some unfamiliar names in their team for this afternoon's match against Hibernian at Easter Road.

Manager Walter Smith had so few players fit to train yesterday that he applied to the Scottish Football League for a postponement of the game. It is believed the Ibrox club doctor submitted 28 medical certificates.

After a series of phone calls around the members of the league management committee, it was decided that Rangers, who have 48 registered professionals, were still equipped to field a side.

Celtic have to put the disappointment of the 3-1 loss to Rangers on Thursday night behind them when they take on Motherwell at Parkhead. However, they have a number of players out through injury and suspension - Alan Stubbs, Brian O'Neil, Tosh McKinlay and Peter Grant - while Paul McStay is unlikely to play a third match in seven days after a four month lay off.