GAVIN RAE is on schedule to agree a deal with Rangers by the time the Hogmanay bells ring after talks between the Light Blues and Dundee finally began to make progress.

DUNDEE MANAGER Jim Duffy admitted his players never recovered from the terrible start they made against Rangers at Dens Park yesterday.

A YEAR which began with Dundee United facing a desperate battle to avoid finishing bottom of the SPL has ended with them bagging of 10 points out of a possible 15 and going three straight games without conceding a goal for the first time in 18 months.

LEE BULLEN was at a loss to explain how high-flying Dunfermline were brought crashing down to earth in a devastating loss to bottom club Partick Thistle at Firhill on Saturday.

AN 85th-minute goal from striker Martin Wood was enough to give Montrose a 1-0 win over Threave Rovers and a third round trip to Livingston.

Dick Campbell struggled to control his anger at referee Brian Winter after he had sent off Brechin City striker Graham Gibson in the seventh minute for “violent conduct” after a clash with Clyde namesake, Jim Gibson.

WITH SELF-EXAMINATION so obviously back in vogue following the Boxing Day announcement of Scottish Rugby’s forthcoming review of all of its operations, it was fitting that one part which urgently needs attention should come to the fore during the Festive Inter- City match at Hughenden on Saturday.