Walter Smith is adamant that his decision to stand down as Rangers manager in the summer will not affect his players today. "Footballers are used to managers leaving, although my circumstances are slightly different," he said, on the eve of today's home game with Kilmarnock.

"I don't think my situation will make a difference to how the players perform. Our only motivation is to win the championship and that won't change.

"I have made my decision. Now the most important thing is for the team to show consistency and win games."

Smith is determined to bow out on a high with a record-breaking 10th successive title in the bag after announcing at the annual meeting this week he would be stepping aside.

Rangers, however, slipped up last week by losing to Dundee United at Tannadice and are a point adrift of leaders and Old Firm rivals Celtic.

Swedish midfielder Jonas Thern is likely to feature at some stage in the match after a nine-week absence as he recovered from a knee injury.

Italian defender Sergio Porrini looks certain to start the match after missing out last week with an ankle injury.

Smith said: "We are happy to have Jonas back as he is an experienced player. But we don't want to push him too hard and it may be a week or two before he is fully fit.

"The Kilmarnock game is an important one for us after going down at Tannadice. We have been losing goals rather too easily and we have a better chance of achieving the right result if we can rectify that part of our game."

Kilmarnock keeper Dragoje Lekovic suffered a knee injury before Yugoslavia's World Cup qualifier against Hungary and is ruled out.

Colin Meldrum again stands in and faces a test of nerve in front of 50,000 supporters anxious to give Smith a fitting salute.

Defender Dylan Kerr is suspended for Kilmarnock, who chalked up a shock 2-1 victory at Ibrox last season.

But manager Bobby Williamson said: "I don't think you can look into that result too much. Both clubs have made a lot of changes since then.

"These are the kind of games you want to be involved in when you are a player and I just hope my team rise to the occasion.

"I have no worries about Meldrum at Ibrox. He is showing progress and was impressive for us last week."

Hearts legend John Robertson is ready to make his 500th league appearance for the title-chasers today as Stephane Adam is suspended.

Robertson was forced to sit on the bench in midweek as they chalked up a 3-1 victory against Dunfermline.

But now he looks likely to link up with Jim Hamilton in the front line at fast-improving Aberdeen.

Stylish midfielder Steve Fulton knows Hearts need a good result today to convince the critics they have what it takes to stay with the leaders.

He said: "It is an important game for us if we are going to be challenging Celtic and Rangers for the title.

"It was silly for people to write us off two weeks ago when we lost to Celtic. But we need to go to places like Aberdeen and pick up points."

Aberdeen have beaten Motherwell and Hibs in the last two weeks to move off the bottom of the table.

The last time they won three in a row was last September and manager Roy Aitken is hoping they can continue their good run at home.

Aitken said: "I am just looking for more in the same vein as the last two weeks. I am hoping we can produce a display that will balance the way we play with a good result.

"It is vital that we pick up the points to continue moving up the league. Our fans have been tremendous all season and we need their support again."

Dundee United have only won once in their last 14 games at Easter Road but face Hibs full of confidence after beating Rangers last week.

Manager Tommy McLean said: "These records are there to be sorted out and we are going there in a good frame of mind.

"The players have shown a lot of application and appetite in the last couple of games and I hope it continues."

Hibs have fallen away after a bright start and midfielder Kevin Harper is sidelined through suspension. But winger Tony Rougier is expected to return after missing last week's defeat at Kilmarnock with an ankle injury.

Inter Milan face the first major hurdle in their bid to become Italian champions in Milan today when they take on title rivals Parma before the San Siro faithful.

Inter are two points clear of Parma at the top of the Serie A and much will be read into the result of a showdown featuring both Italy's goalkeepers from their 1-1 draw in Moscow.

Gigi Simoni's team, who cantered to a 3-1 friendly win over Como in midweek, hope that Gianluca Pagliuca recovers from a knee injury which forced him out after a 33rd minute collision with Andrei Kanchelskis.

Parma have teenage sensation Gianluigi Buffon between the posts, after saving his country on a muddy, snowbound debut at the Dynamo stadium on Wednesday night.