Paul Gascoigne returns to the Rangers team today for just long enough to bid the fans farewell for a month. The England midfielder, having exceeded the Scottish Football Association's disciplinary points limit by being ordered off against Celtic 10 days ago, begins a four-match suspension that will keep him out until the next Old Firm game, at Celtic Park on January 2nd.

Gascoigne and everyone interested in Rangers, however, have to pray that the weather does not turn vicious in the middle of the month. If any of the games he is scheduled to miss were to be postponed, he would not be available to face Celtic.

The rules dictate that the player should be banned from the team's next four games, whether or not they arrive in the order in which they were originally due. Rangers' visit to Dunfermline two weeks hence is most vulnerable to sabotage, as East End Park is notoriously susceptible to damage by snow or frost.

But, with Brian Laudrup back from injury and Gordon Durie and Rino Gattuso also free of suspension, the champions are expected to close on leaders Hearts by taking care of St Johnstone at home this afternoon. Hearts, four points ahead, would remain at the top. The Tynecastle side, due to meet Dundee United at Tannadice, are idle because of tomorrow's League Cup final.

The longest serving player in the Irish League Premier Division, Glenavon central defender Paul Byrne, is on the market. Byrne (33), has been placed on the transfer list by the club for which he has made 620 appearances over 13 seasons.

Glenavon have recently recruited two big-money signings.

Byrne is almost certain to be granted a free transfer if he agrees a suitable deal with another club.