Rangers resume normal service

If pushed to nominate a word that more than any other touches upon the various moods in Scottish football, then inevitable feels as appropriate as any just now.

According to the Celtic director Dermot Desmond, Celtic and Rangers' migration south to the Premiership looks 'inevitable' - and the weekend words of Chelsea's Colin Hutchinson: "Any such move would have Chelsea's full support," have added to the momentum.

According to the bookmakers, who on Saturday morning rated Celtic at 4-6 to retain their title, Rangers at 7-4 and the nearest challengers, Hibernian, at 66-1, this is going to be yet another two-horse season in Scotland. The last league champions from outside the Old Firm were Aberdeen in 1985.

And, accordingly, on Saturday's opening day there was a crushing predictability about the results. At Parkhead, Celtic began the defence of the Treble with another one against St Johnstone, while at a muffled, acquiescent Pittodrie Rangers asserted their superiority with a comfortable treble of their own against a sad, pale Aberdeen.

Each of Rangers' goals came from their new signings, Christian Nerlinger (from Borussia Dortmu nd) Claudio Caniggia (Dundee) and Russell Latapy (Hibs) and that may have been the reason why the normally taciturn manager Dick Advocaat actually cracked a joke (singular).

Advocaat's pleasure at seeing his new trio score will temporarily stifle grumbles about the loss of Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Jorg Albertz and Tugay, but it is perhaps only up front where Rangers have serious strength in depth.

Here Tore Andre Flo was missing, a Flo toe the cause, leaving Michael Mols to partner Caniggia. When Mols departed in the 53rd minute, Kenny Miller came on to immediate effect.

Miller had an interrupted first season at Ibrox, but the 21- year-old looked a prospect again on Saturday. Within two minutes of his introduction, Miller's crossing from the left created the opener for Nerlinger, an 18-yard drive courtesy of a neat lay-off from the excellent Claudio Reyna.

In the 67th minute it was two, when Miller's shot, parried by David Preece, led to Latapy's penalty after Caniggia had been tripped by Aberdeen's sole summer signing (free), Roberto Bisconti.

Five minutes later Latapy fed Miller, who in turn found Caniggia lurking at the far post. A German, a Tobagan and an Argentinian had scored. The Rangers hordes sang Rule Britannia.

At least they could sing. For those Aberdeen fans who had showed up, there was precious little to provoke a song.

After the first half when Aberdeen had frustrated Rangers, they simply dissolved in the second.

They'll not be troubling the Old Firm this season. If they stay or go.