PAUL GASCOIGNE's ankle injury, sustained against Ajax in a sixes tournament in Amsterdam five weeks ago, is almost certain to keep the England midfielder out of Rangers' double feature with Celtic in the Scottish Cup and the Premier Division.

The cup quarter-final is at Celtic Park on Thursday, with the league match 10 days later. Gascoigne will have the plaster removed from his ankle on Monday, but is already ruled out of the first part of a crucial mini-series.

"He may get the go-ahead on Monday to start light training," said manager Walter Smith, "but that's a decision for the specialist. He won't play on Thursday, but we'll hope for the best for the next game.

Even without Gascoigne, the chances of Rangers conceding eight points in their last nine Premier Division matches recede toward remoteness when it is realised that they have dropped only 14 in their first 27 outings. To be denied their ninth successive championship, the Ibrox club would have to lose two and draw one of their remaining fixtures, while Celtic win all of theirs.