THEIR place in next season's UEFA Cup has been secured, but that is no

reason for Celtic's players to ease off. After all, it's not as though

they have had a memorable season.

Having lost 3-1 to Hibernian on Saturday, all of the players should

have volunteered for a Sunday shift on the training ground -- perhaps

they did, although they may have preferred to stay indoors with the

curtains drawn -- but no matter how each coped with the trauma of that

Easter Road defeat, it will be necessary this evening to prove they are

not already thinking ahead to the summer holidays.

More significantly, it will be essential, if they have enough

professional pride, to demonstrate they are worthy of the loyalty shown

by the supporters, many of whom won't be able to afford summer breaks,

and in an attempt to freshen the side, Liam Brady has drafted in Stuart

Gray, the 19-year-old son of the former Scottish internationalist,

Eddie, for tonight's game against Falkirk.

Gray Jr, a left-sided midfield player, will be involved against the

Brockville side as will Jamie McQuilken and Barry Smith. Mike Galloway

is free from suspension, but Tony Mowbray and Tommy Boyd are injured.

Celtic have messed up too often this season and after Saturday, Brady

did not spare the feelings of his players one or two of whom may not

feature tonight. The manager said yesterday he is anxious to avoid a

repeat of the errors which led to the goals scored by Hibernian.

It will be an extremely determined Falkirk side which will go to

Celtic Park, but even if they are scrambling to retain their top-flight

status, Brady's team should be good enough to remind everyone they are

still a force in the domestic game. Finishing second to Rangers is the

best they can be this season and therefore they ought to be striving to

overtake Aberdeen, who play at Firhill.

If Aberdeen drop a point Rangers, who will be away preparing for their

Champions League match against CSKA Moscow, will become premier-division

champions for the fifth time, but the Pittodrie side are unwilling to

assist. ''Rangers can win the title off their own bat. They'll get no

help from us,'' said Aberdeen's assistant manager Roy Aitken.

''We want to win as many points as possible and close the gap on

Rangers. We have been the main challengers all season and want to keep

it that way.''

Aitken added that it was important to keep the momentum going

throughout the weeks leading up to the Scottish Cup final and although

Aberdeen thrashed Thistle 7-0 last time at Firhill, they don't

anticipate a similar scoreline.

Paul Kane, available after suspension, could be brought back into the

side which lost two soft goals to Hearts on Saturday while Thistle will

be hoping to tighten up themselves after their 3-1 defeat at Ibrox.

It would do Airdrie no harm at all if they could close the back door,

but it does look as though they have lost their struggle to remain in

the premier division. They were beaten 3-0 at Tannadice last time out

and with only four matches left they are on 26 points, one behind

Falkirk, and two adrift of Motherwell, who have a game in hand.

The Broomfield side are at home to Hibs, who have scored six in their

last two matches.

Elsewhere, Dundee and Dundee United meet at Dens Park while Motherwell

are at home to Hearts.