EVEN Kris Boyd could not see Rangers safely through to the last four of the Scottish Cup as Partick Thistle earned a well-deserved draw at Ibrox last night.

The scale of Spurs’ success must be measured against the shortcomings of their opponents, however, as Wigan looked every inch a doomed side with seven straight losses.

THREE Irish crews have qualified for the semi-finals at the Rowing World Championships at Dorney Lake, Eton.

The Irish women's lightweight double of Sinéad Jennings and Niamh NiCheilleachair became the second Irish crew to advance to the semi-finals of the Rowing World Championships in Eton this morning, by defeating the defending world champions Germany to win their repechage in a time of 7.17.26.

Dundee United 1 Hearts 1

Conservation workers and volunteers used a high tide today to refloat about 110 pilot whales from a beach where they became stranded a day earlier on New Zealand’s South Island. At least 15 others died, a conservation official said.

Dundee United 2 Dunfermline 1

A chef who was convicted of stabbing his partner to death with a steak knife was found hanging in a locked cell in Arbour Hill prison by his shoelaces, an inquest heard tonight.

CELTIC manager Gordon Strachan shrugged off his new-found popularity with the Hoops supporters after guiding the Glasgow giants to the top of the Bank of Scotland Premier League for the first time this season.

Dundee Utd 0 Rangers 0

Dundee United 0 Rangers 0

Dunfermline 0 Celtic 4

Dundee United 0 Hearts 3

Gordon Strachan handed Japanese international playmaker Shunsuke Nakamura his debut against the Tannadice men at Celtic Park.

Celtic 1 Dundee Utd 0

Today's is to be Martin O’Neill’s final competitive match as Celtic manager before he hands over the reins to Gordon Strachan next week.

Dublin 0-13 Kildare 0-11

Rangers 0 Dundee United 1

INTERNATIONAL students are paying massive fees of up to €15,000 a year to third level institutions but getting very little in return, The Union of Students of Ireland (USI) said yesterday.

Celtic headed into their Bank of Scotland Premier League game against Dundee United hoping to extend their lead at the top of the table to four points – for 24 hours at least.

Rangers 1, Dundee United 1

INADEQUATE grants are forcing students to drop out of college courses despite Government claims that third-level education is a priority, students’ leaders said yesterday.

Dundee Utd v Celtic

Mary Dundon

Scotland Under-21s 26 Ireland Under-21s 27

Celtic 2 Dundee Utd 1

Ireland 33, Scotland 9

Ireland Under-21 33 Scotland Under-21 9

STUDENTS must pay higher subscriptions to the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) to help resolve a financial crisis that is forcing officers to work without pay.

RANGERS manager Alex McLeish has told his under-performing stars that they may have played themselves out of next week's Old Firm Tennent's Scottish Cup clash.

America’s top bishop said the days of sheltering sex abusers in the Roman Catholic priesthood were “history”, following reports showing the extent of assaults on children over the last half-century and saying church leaders bore much of the blame.

CHRIS SUTTON marked his return to his favourite striking role with a clinical first half double to keep the champions on the tails of leaders Rangers with victory at Firhill yesterday.

Partick Thistle 1 Rangers 2

AS expected, Niall Maguire wrapped up the 2002 Dunlop National Rally Championship at the Clonmel Arms/FESP Tipperary Stonethrowers Rally.

AS expected, Niall Maguire wrapped up the 2002 Dunlop National Rally Championship at the Clonmel Arms/FESP Tipperary Stonethrowers Rally.