DUTCHMAN Theo Snelders, who looked likely to be on his way out of Ibrox at the end of last season, is virtually certain to face his old club, Aberdeen, today and might well be in goal when Rangers begin their UEFA Cup campaign against Strasbourg in France on Tuesday.

Snelders, who has played once this season, in the Coca-Cola game against Hamilton, had not been in the first team before that since January, when he played against Hibs at Easter Road.

His status as back-up to Scotland keeper Andy Goram seemed to have been reduced by the arrival of Finnish internationalist Anti Niemi and the word was a return to Holland appeared probable.

However, the variety of injuries that consistently ravage the Ibrox dressing room has worked in Snelders' favour because Goram is unlikely to play today and, in the words of his manager, Walter Smith, could be ''touch and go'' for Tuesday.

Goram has a groin injury which could need a few days' rest before it would be sen-sible to play again, while Niemi has broken the same finger that had already put him on the sidelines this season.

That leaves Snelders with the chance to stake his claim in the goalkeeping hierarchy. Goram's absence is unlikely to be the only problem facing the manager, as there is a serious doubt about Gordon Durie and it is also possible Jonas Thern will sit this one out in advance of the European tie.

Thern has been suffering from a persistent knee injury, which, although slight, has prevented him training properly for weeks. It may be he will need a break from the heavy club and international circuit to allow the injury to recover. In addition, Ian Ferguson and Sergio Porrini have knocks but are expected to be all right.

Still on the casualty front, Smith explained the situation regarding Sebastian Rozental, the Chilean striker who has been so unlucky since he arrived at Ibrox. ''He now has to have two screws removed from his knee,'' said Smith, ''which is usually done after a six-month period.

''In his case, he is suffering a little pain but, for example, Stuart McCall did not have any irritation. Rozental will be set back about three weeks but he just has to be patient.''

Smith was happy to see Paul Gascoigne earning rave reviews after his showing in the England-Moldova game. ''Gascoigne playing well would make a difference to any team. It would nice to think he would continue that form tomorrow.''

Despite all of this, Rangers, who went out of the Coca-Cola Cup to Dundee United in midweek, will be much more formidable opposition for the Pittodrie side. With Gascoigne, Brian Laudrup, and Joachim Bjorklund back after missing out against United, the team, will be improved.

Still, as Smith pointed out: ''Aberdeen raise their game and make things difficult for us. No doubt it will be the same tomorrow.''

Certainly, Aberdeen keeper Jim Leighton believes his team can beat Rangers in Glasgow for the first time in six years, since when they have taken only four points from 11 games. The Scotland keeper, who had his fair share of Aberdeen victories in Glasgow in the halcyon days of the eighties force, says: ''Obviously this game and the one next week against Celtic are very important because of the position we are in.

''It is not the one we anti-cipated at the start of the season, but it is one that we will hopefully rectify very quickly and we are looking to collect points from these games.

''I've had my ups and downs at Ibrox and winning is a very satisfying feeling. I love playing there, even although I'm usually very busy.

''This is the kind of occasion that is the reason why you are in football. Winning is about believing that you are a good player in a good team.

''There are not a million problems at this club. Everything is in place to bring success back.

''There is not a negative bone in anyone's body. Hopefully, we will show that against Rangers, but we are not shouting from the rooftops about our intentions.

''I honestly think that a couple of wins would turn everything around for us. But no one has been consistent so far apart from Dunfermline.

''They have brought in just one new player whereas the Old Firm and ourselves have signed several. That may explain it, because it takes time for players to adjust.

''But titles are not won or lost on a couple of games. There is a long way to go and we are positive after reaching the semi-finals of the Coca-Cola Cup.''

Aberdeen could be without both their full backs. Young Russell Anderson has already been ruled out and Bulgarian Tzanko Tzvetanov will have a fitness test on a hamstring injury.

Manager Roy Aitken said: ''This is different from the Coca-Cola Cup, but I expect my players to be lifted by their achievement and put on a performance to be proud of.

''While Rangers have been setting the pace for some time, Ibrox is no different from anywhere else in terms of points. I want a team capable of going anywhere in the country and getting results.''