Paul Gascoigne will turn out for Rangers today, despite all the transfer speculation. Walter Smith, the Rangers manager, yesterday stonewalled all inquiries about his possible sale, saying: "There's nothing else to be said about Gascoigne."

The England midfielder will be reunited at home against Dunfermline today with Richard Gough, who has returned from Major League Soccer in the United States to resume the captaincy of a Rangers side who have been struggling in defence this season. Brian Laudrup, who took the armband when Gough left at the end of last season, told Smith it was only right that the big defender should have it back.

The most attractive match is at Tynecastle, where the league leaders, Hearts, await third-placed Celtic. Wim Jansen, the Parkhead coach, had bad news for the travelling support yesterday when he revealed there was a doubt about the fitness of Craig Burley.

Burley, Celtic's most influential player in their recent resurgence, did not train yesterday because of a thigh injury. He had two demanding matches, for Scotland against Latvia and for Celtic in the League Cup semi-final, between last Saturday and Tuesday and is feeling the strain.

With the Dane, Morten Wieghorst, also in bother with his knee, Jansen felt that Celtic lack cover in a vital area. "We are short, especially in midfield," said the Dutchman, who is constantly on the search for new players.

"It's really quite important that Burley and Wieghorst make it. A few of the players have had a series of hard games recently, so we have to make sure we give them proper rest. But I'm sure this match with Hearts will be our toughest test since we started our unbeaten run 11 games ago."

Hearts have a problem of their own, with the international defender David Weir requiring stitches in a head wound sustained in training on Thursday. Their manager Jim Jefferies was optimistic about the player's chances of making the game.

Celtic and Scotland star Darren Jackson has headed a football for the first time since undergoing brain surgery.

Jackson suffered no adverse reaction and now looks firmly on the road to recovery after the operation to rescue his playing career.

Celtic general manager Jock Brown said the forward remains on track to return as soon as a final scan next month gives him the all-clear.

Brown said last night : "I am delighted to report that Darren has been able to head the ball again.

"If the scan next month is okay then there is every indication he can then play again almost immediately.

"He will need to recover his match sharpness, which would involve a few reserve outings, but he is fit in every other respect.

"The fact he can head the ball shows progress is good and as he is naturally fit he should be back sooner rather than later."