A DUTCHMAN who has two Scottish children and an Irish dog yesterday signed for Rangers in a #200,000 deal which will make him understudy to Scottish international keeper Andy Goram.

Theo Snelders might have made the trip from Aberdeen to Glasgow last summer, but the deal fell through and he has spent the intervening time as Aberdeen's second choice. However, he was not interested in recriminations as he talked about his move yesterday.

In fact, he made it clear on a number of occasions that he remains very grateful to Aberdeen, loved the city and brings south with him two Aberdonians, his three-year-old son Ryan and baby daughter Kayleigh. ``Ryan is able to play for Scotland, but I have an Irish setter, so he could also play for Ireland.''

Snelders seems totally unfazed by the prospect of playing second fiddle to Goram, insisting that he has gone to Ibrox primarily to achieve security for his family. ``Of course, I have faith in my own abilities, and if I am picked for the first team then that is fine, but if someone else is better then it is not difficult to accept that.

``I had many good years at Aberdeen and we had a lovely lifestyle. My wife, Miriam, is sad to be leaving there.''

Would he have stayed if he had been given the contract he wished. ``I think anybody who saw me training in the last few months would agree that my heart was still there. I wish Michael Watt well - we had a great relationship.''

He referred to his experience during the latter stages of his eight-year stay with Aberdeen thus: ``It was not nice, but I have learned a lot a in a year and I am better for it.''

Although Rangers moved quickly to secure his signature before the transfer deadline, the Dutchman is not about to make his debut against Raith Rovers at Kirkcaldy this afternoon. ``Andy Goram is fit again and will be back,'' said manager Walter Smith.

The Ibrox manager also explained the situation regarding Colin Scott, the keeper who has deputised for Goram in the past. ``Colin has been on a month-to-month contract since the start of the season. The lad wants to play first-team football and I hope he gets a move which will do that for him.''

David Robertson, who has finished a two-game supsension, is still out after suffering an ankle injury, but Derek McInnes is in the squad after coming through two reserve matches.

Rovers last night signed Motherwell defender Miodrag Krivokapic, who will bolster their defence against the league leaders. A nominal fee was involved.

If they could use some good news after last week's 5-2 trouncing by Partick Thistle at Tynecastle, Hearts fans will take some consolation in the fact that Kevin Thomas, one of the club's exciting young prodigies, is fit and in contention for a place against Falkirk at Brockville today.

The return of Thomas will complete a tremendous recovery from a knee ligament injury which at first had some people worrying about his ability to play again at all. It is one year and two weeks since he suffered the damage in the Scottish Cup tie with Dundee United.

In fact, Thomas played two more games after that cup-tie, including the semi-final, before the seriousness of the injury was diagnosed, followed by surgery in April.

He has watched every home game during his absence, but would not count last week's affair as one of the most memorable. He left at 3-1 because he was so annoyed. ``It was such a freak result. You could play the game again and it could turn out exactly the other way round.''

The chances are he will get a place at some stage in the game that means much to both clubs. Manager Jim Jefferies is considering making changes at the back after last week. It is likely that either Dave McPherson or Pasquale Bruno will suffer as a consequence. Gary Locke and Neil Pointon are back.

Falkirk beat Hearts 2-0 in October, but assitant manager Stuart Munro believes Hearts will be a different side now. He said: `We played well to beat them on that occasion, but they've really turned the corner since then.''

Hibs, who were knocked out of the cup by Kilmarnock, need to beat them at Rugby Park today to raise their hopes of catching Hearts for fourth place, but they are still without striker Keith Wright.

Killie manager Alex Totten is without Neil Whitworth, Ally Mitchell and Billy Findlay, and Mark Skilling is doubtful, but Bobby Connor returns to the midfield.