PAUL GASCOIGNE is out to complete his top 10 collection this afternoon as Rangers seek to turn up the title heat on Celtic. Victory at Raith would put Walter Smith's side eight points clear of their arch rivals who must wait 48 hours until Monday night before hosting Aberdeen at Parkhead.
And for Gascoigne, the Kirkcaldy fixture represents the opportunity for him to finish off a remarkable scoring streak in his first season at Ibrox.
The former Lazio star has netted against every Bell's Scottish League premier division club except the Stark's Park outfit. He achieved his 15 goal target for the season in last week's 3-2 win over Falkirk with his seventh strike in eight games.
There is an added incentive for Gascoigne and company today as Rangers seek one more goal to reach 100 in competitive matches this season.
Boss Smith, who yesterday signed goalkeeper Theo Snelders from Aberdeen as cover for Andy Goram, has set his side a six match winning target to claim their, eighth successive championship.
"Our aim is to win all our last six games. Raith made it hard for us on our last visit to Kirkcaldy where we drew 2-2 and I feel they are close to achieving what they set out to do this season, which was to stay up," said Smith.
Smith says there is too much talk about psychology as Celtic are kept waiting because of live television coverage on Monday.
"Psychology does, not win championships. Obviously there are challenges which must be met and there will be a wee bit of nervousness in games. But winning games takes you to the title. "Both sides have shown this season they can cope with having their fixture switched to before or after the game involving the other club."
Meanwhile, Celtic and the Scottish Football Association were keeping mum last night on the Jorge Cadete saga.
The Glasgow club have until midnight tomorrow to beat the Scottish League's transfer deadline to register the Portuguese international.
But as the SFA offices closed last night, it was still unclear whether international clearance had been received for Cadete. "There is no comment from the Association," said a SFA spokesman. Celtic also declined to comment, although manager Tommy Burns said earlier "The person I feel sorry for is Jorge Cadete. It has been terribly frustrating for him."
Cadete's move from Sporting Lisbon has now been in negotiation for fully five weeks.
If the necessary paperwork is not completed, Cadete will not be able to feature in Celtic's six remaining League matches this season and the Scottish Cup semi final with Rangers on Easter Sunday.
Burns, meanwhile, has a few ink jury worries ahead of Monday meeting with Aberdeen. Jackie McNamara, Simon Donnelly John Collins and Paul McStay all took knocks while in action for Scotland at Under 21 and senior level this week.
