Rangers v Kilmarnock

FOR Billy Dodds, read Billy Whizz. The diminutive striker's rise to the top of his profession so late in his career, much of which was spent as the outstanding performer in teams that, with all due respect, did not complement his natural ability to find the rigging, is, to coin a phrase, comic-book stuff indeed.

As he held court in the Ibrox press room, Dodds looked like a kid who had been let loose in a sweet shop; a wide, pearly smile beaming uncontrollably across his face at every mention of his new job and its considerably more glamourous description.

He spoke almost without pause, afraid that if he stopped for breath, he would awake from this most blissful of dreams. He has now been a Rangers player for a week, and while he admits that the cancellation of last weekend's match away to St Johnstone was probably for the best - ''I came down to Glasgow on Friday without any boots and stayed over, it was not the best preparation because I was still hyper'' - he will no doubt have slept uneasily last night, dreaming of hitting a hat trick against Kilmarnock and earning instant adulation from 50,000 aficionados.

He will get his chance today, in partnership with Rod Wallace, a man who has already shown that a modest transfer fee, in his case a Bosman freebie, is no obstacle to holding a regular place in Advocaat's team.

When Michael Mols, Jonatan Johansson, and, to a lesser extent, Gabriel Amato return from injury, it is expected that Dodds, who cost the club #1.3m, will become surplus to requirements. The 30-year-old, typically, will not entertain such a notion.

''You have got to be confident in your ability and if I had said no because I thought I would only be a stop-gap, I might have regretted that decision for the rest of my life,'' he said.

''It's a huge challenge, and anyone who knows me will tell you I love a challenge. It's also good for my CV, because when I look back on my career I can show my family that I used to play for Rangers.''

To date, there has been no bigger challenge than facing Tony Adams, Martin Keown, and Sol Campbell in the Euro 2000 double header against England. He believes the experience gained at international level has helped round his edges and insists he has arrived at Ibrox at the peak of his powers.

''Without doubt, this is the right time for me. If I had joined a few years ago, I might not have had the experience to be a success, but I am ready for the challenge now.

''Even against England, there was no way I was going to be in awe of their defenders - I wanted to score past them, and I cannot wait to make my debut for Rangers. If I get one goal, I'll be delighted.

''It's the move I have wanted all my career because, before, I only got one or two chances a game. I know I am going to get more chances here, and it's up to me to take them.''

After three defeats on the trot, the last one eliminating them from the UEFA Cup, Rangers and their supporters require a tonic and, with his infectious personality, who better than Dodds?

''It doesn't matter who it is, but it is true the fans and the team get a lift from a new signing. I must admit I was a bit quiet during my first couple of days here, but I've settled in well.''

Jim Lauchlan will almost certainly be the man to stifle Dodds on his debut, but the 22-year-old will not concentrate all his efforts on stopping the striker from getting off the mark with his new club.

''He is a great little striker and, with no disrespect to Dundee United, he will score even more goals for Rangers because of the calibre of his team-mates. They will provide plenty of chances for him and he will score lots of goals for Rangers, but, hopefully, he will not start against us.

''As a defender, though, you cannot afford to go overboard on stopping just one player, because as well as Dodds, they have Rod Wallace and Neil McCann, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, and Jorg Albertz, who all love coming from deep.

''It's important that the defence work as a unit, and we will all need to stay in our designated zones and keep a close eye on all their attacking players.''

While Dodds is hoping to start his Rangers career on a high note, on-loan Andy Smith is hoping that he will finally be able to show Kilmarnock manager Bobby Williamson that he is worthy of a long-term contract.

The Dunfermline striker travelled to Rugby Park for a one-month loan deal with a view to a permanent arrangement but with the weather causing havoc to the fixture schedule, the Scotland B internationalist has yet to pull on the blue and white jersey and now has only two weeks to impress.

He is likely to be in the starting line-up as Killie bid to move up the table after their surprisingly poor run of results this season, considering they finished fourth in the previous two campaigns.

Kilmarnock are in dire need of an out-and-out striker and Smith could yet have a major role to play for the Ayrshire club. The old master, Ally McCoist, is still recovering from the ankle break sustained against his old club earlier in the season, but, at 37, he is unlikely to continue for much longer in any case, while Paul Wright has failed to recapture his form of yesteryear.

Frenchman Jerome Vareille and the summer signing from Fortuna Sittard, Englishman Mike Jeffrey, are unlikely to amass in excess of 20 goals a season, and with Christophe Cocard providing ample service in wide areas, Smith's swashbuckling style could prove crucial should Williamson extend his stay.

''Scoring against Rangers will not do his chances any harm at all, and he gives us a different option up front,'' said Lauchlan.

Aberdeen's 3-1 victory against Hearts in midweek has left Killie only three points off the bottom spot occupied by the Dons for most of this term. They do, however, have one match in hand and Lauchlan insists there is no panic in the dressing room.

Indeed, although it appeared to upset their momentum last season, Lauchlan believes the winter break might just work in their favour this time around.

''To be honest, all the boys are pretty confident because we have been playing well for most of the season. Too many draws have killed us, but we will try to get as many points as we can before the break and, hopefully, after some rest we will be refreshed for the second half of the season.''

Rangers will be without the suspended Craig Moore and Giovanni van Bronckhorst, and injured Gabriel Amato and Dariusz Adamczuk, while Kilmarnock may rest former Rangers midfielder Ian Durrant.

BOOKIES' VIEW: Rangers 1-5, Kilmarnock 12-1, draw 9-2.