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McCoist is final doubt

RANGERS legend Ally McCoist is facing Tennents Scottish Cup final heartbreak today before the kick off

Sat May 18 1996 - 01:00

RANGERS legend Ally McCoist is facing Tennents Scottish Cup final heartbreak today before the kick off. Calf injury victim McCoist is rated doubtful for the Hampden showpiece as Walter Smith's champions go for the double against Hearts.

If McCoist fails to make it then Danish international Erik Bo Andersen is set to land a starting place.

"Ally has a recurrence of a calf injury and is doubtful for Hampden," said Smith.

"He suffered it against Clyde bank in a testimonial last Friday and he will need to be 100 per cent fit to play. I won't take a chance on him.

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"If he doesn't make it then we have other options such as Erik Bo Andersen, Gordon Durie and Peter Van Vossen."

Former England international Trevor Steven has already been ruled out. The 32 year old, plagued by fitness problems this season, has a knee injury according to Smith.

So Alex Cleland is set to step into the right back position in a five man defence. Smith's only other decision seems to be over whether to pick John Brown or Gordan Petric alongside Alan McLaren and Richard Gough.

Andersen is clear favourite to play if McCoist misses out. The £5 million Dane has scored six times in six starts since arriving from Aalborg.

"I haven't been on the losing side yet with Rangers so perhaps I can be a lucky mascot," said Andersen.

Hearts have no injury worries but manager Jim Jefferies will not reveal his line up yet.

Victories over Partick Thistle, Kilmarnock, St Johnstone and Aberdeen have taken Hearts to within 90 minutes of their first Scottish cup win since 1956 and confidence is sky high after success in their last two games against Rangers.

Allan Johnston, nicknamed Magic, has scored four times in those fixtures and his presence will strike fear into Rangers supporters today.

But if Johnston has been the wild card then he may yet be trumped by the man many felt was a £4.3million joker last August Paul Gascoigne.

Five years after his knee, and his career, lay shattered on a hospital bed as his Tottenham teammates lifted the FA Cup without him, Gazza enters the Scottish final with his confidence at a new peak.

Personal awards have been showered upon him and one more goal would take him to 20 in all competitions for Rangers in a switchback season also marked by off field controversies and on field indiscipline.