Naismith a doubt for Scotland game

STEVEN Naismith could be a doubt for the Scotland national team after Rangers manager Ally McCoist revealed he is nursing a knock picked up during yesterday’s 2-0 win over Aberdeen.

Goals from Steven Davis and Naismith secured all three points to hand the Scottish champions their first home victory of the season and keep them at the top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League. But Naismith’s fitness is now a concern for Scotland manager Craig Levein ahead of Saturday’s Euro 2012 qualifier against Czech Republic.

McCoist said: “He took a bang on his hip bone, but he showed the spirit we are needing. It would have been really easy for Naismith to just come off and get an ice pack on it, but he didn’t. He got the ice pack on at half-time and then came back out and that’s the sort of mentality and attitude you need when things aren’t going according to plan.”

Like Rangers, Celtic also bounced back from the disappointment of their Europa League exit – which remains the subject of a probe over whether Swiss side Sion fielded ineligible players – winning 2-0 in Paisley against St Mirren.

Gary Hooper scored both goals inside 12 minutes to keep Celtic a point off the lead.