THE first Old Firm game of the season takes place at the end of this month.

It's the latest chapter in the rivalry between Glasgow's big two.

DENIS TAYLOR (King's Park) remembers his first Old Firm match, a Scottish Cup-tie in 1970.

He says: I think Celtic won 3-1, and Rangers' goal was an own goal. Who was the unfortunate Celt? Celtic's right-back Jim Craig was the man in question. He headed a Colin Stein cross past his own goalkeeper, Evan Williams after just five minutes. Celtic, however, came back to win with goals by Bobby Lennox, David Hay and Jimmy Johnstone.

J GILMOUR (Lanark) - I was saddened to read of George Niven's death. Can you tell me who signed him for Rangers and how many honours did he win at Ibrox? Can you also tell me if he was ever capped for Scotland? George Niven joined Rangers from Junior side Coupar Angus in 1951 and was signed by the legendary Bill Struth. During his spell at Ibrox, he won five League Championships, two Scottish Cups, one League Cup and three Glasgow Cups.

Although he was capped seven times for the Scottish League, he was very unlucky not to represent Scotland at full international level. On two occasions, 1960 and 1961, he was selected for the England game but had to withdraw through injury.

At the end of the 1960 season, he was selected for the Scotland squad to tour Austria, Hungary and Turkey, but Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Bill Brown was chosen for the games and George never received what would have been a well-deserved honour.

KEVIN LINES (Viewpark) - Can you provide career details for Johnny Lynas, who I believe was the trainer of the great post-war Blackpool team which included Matthews and Mortenson. We believe you may be thinking of the Johnny Lynas who played most of his career with Third Lanark. Although we can find no conclusive evidence, there is photographic evidence that strongly suggests the trainer of that Blackpool team is the same Johnny Lynas.

He started his career with Bo'ness in 1927, before being transferred to Sunderland in 1928. He returned to Scotland in 1929 to play for Third Lanark. He remained at Thirds until 1935.

BOB CLARK (Wishaw) - I say that at some point in the 1990s Mark Hateley was manager at Hull - my mates disagree. Can you confirm that I am correct and give details of his record as Hull manager? Mark Hateley was manager at Hull City from July, 1997, till November, 1998, when the club was playing in Division Three. His record was 76 games, 17 wins, 14 draws and 45 defeats.

With the threat of the club being relegated to the Conference a real possibility, former Hull City player Warren Joyce replaced him as manager.

BLUE DOO (Crookston) - When Rangers lost 6-0 to Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup semi-final of 1954 what was their line-up and how many changes were there in the side for their next game? Not too many. The side that lost at Hampden on April 10, 1954 was:

Brown; Caldow, Little; McColl, Woodburn, Cox; Waddell, Grierson, Simpson, Prentice, Hubbard.

The following Saturday, they again met Aberdeen, this time at Ibrox, with the Dons winning 3-1. Johnny Little dropped out and Sammy Cox stepped back to replace him. Willie Rae came in to fill the vacancy at left-half while Derek Grierson switched to inside left with John Prentice making way. Willie Paton came in to fill the inside-right berth.