TOMMY BURNS, the Celtic manager, appears certain to tackle his on-going problems with Pierre van Hooydonk by dropping the Dutch striker for tonight's match against Raith Rovers. Van Hooydonk said last weekend that he would not, under any circumstances, sign a new contract with the Parkhead club and that he will leave when his present agreement expires in 16 months' time.

But it is his form and application on the field that are the main reasons for his demotion. Van Hooydonk seems not only to have exhausted the patience of his manager, but the sympathy of the Celtic supporters.

Victory is, as always, imperative for the Parkhead side tonight. Their 1-0 defeat by Dundee United last Saturday has left them seven points behind Rangers in the Premier Division with 11 matches remaining.