Sporting briefs...

Rangers: Barry Ferguson has been stripped of the Rangers captaincy and seems to have played his last game under manager Paul Le Guen. Sources said Ferguson will not be in the squad to face Motherwell at Fir Park today and that midfielder Gavin Rae has been made club captain at Ibrox. The sensational move follows a recent row between Ferguson and Le Guen over the importance of being captain.

Niemi: Fulham goalkeeper Antti Niemi appeared to have escaped a serious neck injury after landing heavily on his head during yesterday's goalless Premier League draw against Watford at Craven Cottage. The Finland international flipped in the air while attempting a clearance nine minutes into the second half and was unable to break his fall with his arms. "He's OK. He's gone off to hospital for some X-rays (but) it didn't look very good when we saw it," Fulham manger Chris Coleman said.

Hargreaves: Owen Hargreaves has revealed he is just a couple of weeks away from being match fit again. The Bayern Munich midfielder broke his leg in September but his recovery has gone smoothly and he is now almost ready to return. He expects to be back in training by the end of the week and then back in competitive action shortly after. Hargreaves is the subject of transfer speculation to Manchester United.

L'equipe: French newspaper 'L'Equipe' has named Marcello Lippi Coach of the Year and five Azzurri in their Team of 2006. They are FIFA World Player of the Year Fabio Cannavaro, Gianluigi Buffon, Gianluca Zambrotta, Fabio Grosso and Andrea Pirlo. L'Equipe Team of 2006: Buffon, Zambrotta, Gallas, Cannavaro, Grosso, Deco, Pirlo, Makelele, Ronaldinho, Henry, Eto'o.

In Scotland: Dundee Utd vs Falkirk 1-5; Inverness vs St Mirren 2-1. Today - 3 p.m. Dunfermline vs Hearts. 4 p.m. Celtic vs Kilmarnock; Hibernian vs Aberdeen; Motherwell vs Rangers.