Paul Gascoigne took the opportunity on Saturday to show once again that he is nothing if not an opportunist. In a generally bland 1-0 victory over Motherwell, which extended Rangers' lead in the Premier Division to three points, Gascoigne was the most compelling figure on the field at Ibrox.

Given his first start in seven weeks, Gascoigne tired and faded in the second half, but only after earlier presenting his credentials as the most gifted player around.

Nominally a forward alongside Gordon Durie, Gascoigne quickly deserted that role in search of more action and his feinting, shimmying runs past clusters of defenders from midfield should have brought him two goals.

He was wild with his first shot, a left-foot effort that sent the ball high and wide from the left of the area. His second miss was worse as he coasted past five opponents, including the goalkeeper Steve Woods, before driving the ball from only eight yards against the body of Brian Martin standing on the goal-line.

Alex Cleland scored the only goal midway through the first half with a low shot after Woods had failed to gather a Jorg Albertz header.

The champions stretched their lead as Hearts drew 2-2 at Kilmarnock and Celtic's match against Dundee United was postponed. The match will be played tomorrow. Now six points off the pace, Celtic clearly must win to sustain their challenge.