BILLY Dodds will this morning finalise his #1.3m transfer from Dundee United to Rangers and take his place in the champions' starting line-up against St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park, should the match, which is subject to a 10am pitch inspection, go ahead.

The Scottish internationalist drove down to Glasgow last night to undergo a medical and finalise his personal terms, with his wages believed to have now trebled to around #12,000 per week.

Rangers manager Dick Advocaat moved quickly to sign the 30-year-old Scotland striker after having discovered that Finn Jonatan Johansson would be out of action for around three months as a result of ligament damage sustained after a challenge by Russell Anderson during Wednesday's extra-time CIS Insurance Cup defeat against Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

However, Dodds obviously is ineligible to play in Tuesday evening's UEFA Cup third-round, second leg match against Borussia Dortmund in Germany, and with Rod Wallace and Gabriel Amato both struggling with injury, the arrival of the bubbly goalscorer has provided only light relief for Advocaat, who has 14 first-team members out through injury.

''He is a very hard-working striker and he makes it very difficult for every defence,'' said the Rangers coach yesterday.

Dundee United manager Paul Sturrock revealed that they lost arguably their best player because of a clause that was written into his contract when he joined them from Aberdeen, stating that the club would have to consider any offer that came in for the player in excess of #1m.

Ironically, Dodds had been discussing a deal which would have kept him at Tannadice for the rest of his playing career, but the lure of playing for such a high-profile club, and the astronomical hike in his wages, proved irresistible.

''I had a great set-up with United and things were going well,'' said Dodds.

''I had been discussing this with the gaffer for a month and I had made up my mind to stay.

''I came here for training and games, and then went back to Aberdeen. I was perfectly happy with that and my wife had a wee business there.

''Now all that will have to go, and it was the clause written into the contract which brought it all about.

''I was ready to sign a deal which would have given me stability until I was pensioned off at 35 but I hope the fans will understand the reasons I have decided to leave Tannadice.

''No disrespect to any of the clubs I have played for, but it is a fact that I have spent most of my career fighting relegation. I have only one League Cup medal to show for my efforts and this move offers me the chance to win further honours.''

It was Dodds' form at Tannadice that earned him international recognition. He played in both legs of the Euro 2000 play-off against England and, while he failed to score at Hampden or Wembley, his performances were applauded on both sides of the Border.

Rangers will be Dodds' seventh senior club. He rose to prominence at Chelsea in the mid-eighties, but after a season on loan to Partick Thistle in 1987, Dodds confirmed his permanent move back north with a transfer to Dundee two years later. Five successful seasons were enjoyed at Dens Park before he joined St Johnstone, and in season 1994-95 Aberdeen beckoned. However, as the Dons' fortunes nosedived, Dodds' desire led him to join United in search of a fresh challenge.

United collected #700,000 when they moved Robbie Winters to Aberdeen in part-exchange and the sale to Rangers represents another handsome profit.

However, while chairman Jim McLean and the rest of his board of directors celebrate another astute piece of business, Sturrock is left to bemoan the loss of his most potent attacking threat.

''Billy did a tremendous job for us and was a huge catalyst in what we have achieved recently. We cannot hide the fact that his departure leaves a huge void.

''I know how supporters will feel but I don't think any of them would have decided any differently from Billy if they had been put in his position by being given a similar offer to improve their own situation.

''What has happened to us is part of football and life goes on.''

Sturrock, who could recall on-loan Alex Mathie from Preston or give young striker Stephen McConalogue his chance in Sunday's live match against Hearts at Tynecastle, attempted to gee-up the disappointed United fans by insisting ''there is still a Dundee United after this and the fans can be assured that I will be doing everything in my power to replace him.''

The manager went on to add: ''We didn't think that the clause would become a factor when we signed him from Aberdeen but that is the way it has worked out, and is one of the reasons we have lost him.

''We were prepared to move heaven and earth to have him stay and made him an incredible offer. He thought about it but, at the end of the day, Billy was given an opportunity he couldn't turn down.''

q Game in doubt - Page 2