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Latest NewsWeek Beginning 26 July 1997
2 August 1997 "Yes, I felt it because of the nine in a row thing. I knew people were saying that if we weren't able to win nine in a row, we would have been a tremendous failure. Those were harsh words and it was very difficult to live up to that. Fortunately things went well." "I think this is potentially the most exciting squad we've had in my time here. We've brought in quality, but we have to show it on the park. It's easy to sit down and pick an ideal line-up but we need results. Even if it takes us a few months to gel and find ourselves, hopefully we'll get the right results. I feel the new players will bring a cleverness to the club. Tactically I believe we'll be a lot stronger." On a personal level he added, "It's the ultimate recognition to be appointed captain. I hope to be a good ambassador on and off the pitch. It's not only being a footballer it's about representing your club. Rangers feel I can do it and I won't let them down. Richard is a hard act to follow. He phoned here 10 days ago and wished me luck, but told me not to be as successful as him!" Laudrup should be fit for the League Championship opener on Monday but Hearts have an injury crisis with defenders Gary Locke, Dave McPherson, David Murie, Gary Naysmith and Neil Pointon all struggling to make the match.
Walter Smith is relying on Joachim Bjorklund and Jonas Thern to give them information on Gothenburg. Archie Knox watched the Swedish champions in action on Wednesday night and Walter Smith will watch them next Saturday. Walter Smith said, we'll have plenty of information on them and some of it will be supplied by the Swedish lads we have here. This will be seen as a big challenge for both Jocky and Jonas, particularly for Jocky as he played for Gothenburg." Archie Knox flew home from Sweden today after watching Gothenburg struggle to draw with Dergerfors on Wednesday night. Two years ago they beat Manchester United and Barcelona in the European Cup, this season they have had problems. Knox said, "Gothenburg can do better than this. Some of of their players seemed distracted. Maybe their forthcoming game against us was on their minds." Gothenburg have also been rocked by the news that Andreas Andersson is almost certainly out of the clash with Rangers. Andersson was sold to AC Milan in the summer for £2 million on the understanding that he would return for the two games against Rangers. However Andersson is now having second thoughts because he is worried that it might jeopardise his place with Milan. Indeed, the player is in Brazil on tour with his club at the moment and he will not return until the day before the match. Mats Jingblad the Gothenburg coach said, "if the player does not want to play for us then it would be foolish of us to force him to do so, as he would not be any help to our cause."
Jonas Thern warned that a similar performance in a fortnight will not be sufficient to overcome IFK Gothenburg. He said, "we can do better and we must do better to get into the Champions' League. But players like Paul Gascoigne and Brian Laudrup can win the match against Gothenburg for us. Gascoigne is a much more offensive player than me but Gotu are not a good team and we have to see how we play together in a competitive game." "Gothenburg are a much stronger team than Gotu and while we're guaranteed at least a UEFA Cup place it's the Champions' League we all want. I've not seen Gothenburg play recently but they'll be without their star player Andreas Andersson. He has gone to Milan and they will miss him." "It was difficult against Gotu. Every time I turned around I saw three or four blue shirts and 10 yellow ones. They weren't trying to play, they were just waiting for us to play. This sometimes means you can have too much of the ball. Obviously we have got to do better against Gothenburg, but as I have said before, we do have the players in the side capable of winning crunch games." Marco Negri said, "it was great to score my first goals for Rangers at Ibrox in front of my own fans. It was very bad weather and 45,000 came to see us in a match we were winning 5-0, that just tells me how massive Rangers are. But now, I want to score against Gothenburg, I want to do everything I can to help us get to the Champions' League. It will be hard. They are a good side, but I feel we are getting stronger as every match passes." "I can play better, but I did enjoy the game last night. The players we have will always create chances and then it is up to me to try and score them. Things could not have gone better for me at Rangers, I am very happy here." Walter Smith revealed that he replaced Gascoigne because the England midfielder had aggravated the thigh injury which has been troubling him over the past few weeks. Smith said, "Gazza took a knock on the thigh and there is a fair bit of swelling. But he has plenty of time to recover from that as he's suspended for the first three domestic games. Sergio Porrini also picked up a groin strain but he should be fit to face Hearts on Monday night." Rangers have fixed the price for the Champions' League Qualifier with Gothenburg on 27 August. The prices will range from £20 - £27 for season ticket holders and £22 - £30 for the rest. Rangers' Supporters' Association John McMillan was furious with the price structure. He said, "these prices are way over the top, and my main concern is that Ibrox will not be filled. That will be absolutely no help to the team in what will undoubtedly be a crucial match, especially when you consider the match will almost certainly be screened live on TV. What is wrong with making the whole ground £15 a ticket and selling the ground out with 50,000 Rangers fans?"
Rangers went into the match with the expectations of the fans riding high after their 5-0 victory in the Faroes last week. The promise never really materialised and although most of the punters would settle for a similar result against Gothenburg in a fortnight's time most left the ground disappointed with the overall performance. The team struggled to break down the Gotu defence (all 10 of them - ed) during the early spells and it took 21 minutes for Rangers to find the net. Jonas Thern started the move in midfield when he released Ally McCoist down the left hand side. McCoist swung in a tremendous cross and Marco Negri took the ball on his chest but his volley was charged down by Henning Janrskor. Gordon Durie was first to the rebound and he poked the ball home from eight yards. A minute before half time Marco Negri scored the second. Paul Gascoigne flighted a free kick into Gotu's penalty area from the left hand side and McCoist laid the ball off for Negri to fire home. Within three minutes of the restart Rangers increased their lead. Jorg Albertz - a replacement for the injured Gascoigne, burst past three defenders on the left before finding McCoist with a perfectly floated and weighted cross and the veteran striker bulleted the ball into the net with his head. Jorg Albertz gave the crowd something to cheer about five minutes later with the fourth after Negri was rugby tackled by a Gotu defender. Albertz stepped up to take the free kick and sent a piledriver through the wall and under the 'keeper from 25 yards. Ian Ferguson scored the fifth in the 84th minute after some more good work from Albertz on the left hand side. He teed up ferguson who sent a low shot past the Gotu goalie from the edge of the penalty area. In the dying seconds Rangers got their sixth. Albertz fed another lovely ball in from the left. Negri controlled the ball neatly before spinning superbly to finish with a side footed shot from 18 yards. It must have been difficult for Walter Smith to motivate his team for the match considering that the job was already done last week but when fans are paying £19 for a ticket they are entitled to expect a little bit more. The referee must take his share of the blame for ruining the match as a spectacle. He booked Sergio Porrini early on for what appeared to be a clean challenge on the Gotu striker. Few Rangers players were willing to make a challenge after that with the Gothenburg game looming for fear of missing what could be Rangers' biggest games of the season. At the end of the day a 6-0 victory and a penalty miss from McCoist into the bargain, albeit against inferior opposition, gave the supporters what they wanted... a good start in Europe and one step closer to the Champions' League. Rangers Niemi 6 Moore 5 Porrini 6 Bjorklund 6 Vidmar 5 Thern 7 Durie 6 Gascoigne 6 Negri 8 McCoist 6 I Ferguson 4 Durrant 2 (Sub) Cleland 1 (Sub) Albertz 5 (Sub)Man of the Match: Marco Negri Falkirk Follower
"It's getting harder all the time, because now the League runners-up from the top countries are in the tournament and some of them are really strong. But we have great players, Jonas Thern, Gazza, Brian Laudrup, and Ally and I'm sure we can make an impact. All our games are vital at the moment because it is important we play as often as possible to get the right balance as a unit in defence.Training has been good but we really need games together. That's where players find the right positions, get to understand each other and the team finds its balance." Porrini revealed he is really looking forward to making his competitive Ibrox debut tonight. He said, "I remember the warmth of the Rangers fans to their own players when I played here for Juve two years ago. It was much better than in Italian football, they wouldn't react that way to a defeat. I must admit I never thought I would return to play here." Lorenzo Amoruso is struggling to be fit for Rangers match with IFK Gothenburg on 13 August. He goes into hospital in London on Monday for another operation to cure his achilles tendon injury. Walter Smith said, "we've been told he will be ready to start training again two weeks after the surgery." The club had better news on the injury front when they found out Stuart McCall may not require further surgery on his damaged knee ligaments. Walter Smith said, "we thought he might need a scan but now the doctors are hopeful the swelling will settle down." Walter Smith played down transfer speculation linking Ian Durrant with a move to either Morton or Hull, whose new boss is former Ibrox favourite Mark Hateley. He said, "I haven't heard from Morton but I've talked to Mark because he is in Scotland just now and Ian Durrant was never mentioned. The player is in the squad for tonight's game and that's all that concerns me."
"I was hoping to play at Hearts, I was feeling strong, but the knee is limiting me at times, especially when I go at full stretch. It's better now than it was. I can run and jog with no reaction. When I did it the first time against Ajax I could barely walk." McCall will speak to Dominic Cisto, the San Franciscan specialist who performed the previous operations, today. Rangers and Celtic both escaped further punishment after the Old Firm match in March. The SFA investigated several incidents which took place during and after the match at Parkhead. Paolo Di Canio and Ian Ferguson clashed on the pitch and again at full time. Celtic supporters invaded the pitch and Rangers players went into a celebration huddle at the final whistle. Club secretary Campbell Ogilvie said after the ruling, "we are pleased about the decision. We will take internal action but that is a matter for the manager." Paul Gascoigne and Sergio Porrini will both return to European action tomorrow night against Gotu at Ibrox. Staale Stensaas is still suspended and Lorenzo Amoruso will see a specialist today about a troublesome achilles tendon injury which flared up after the Everton match. Morton have launched a bid to make Ian Durrant their player-manager. The 30 year old has struggled to hold down a first team spot in recent seasons and this may be too good an opportunity for him to miss. Cappielow director of football Allan McGraw said, "I'll be speaking to Walter Smith to see if there is any chance of them letting Ian go. I am interested in the player. There are a lot of things to be considered and I will find out how he feels about leaving Rangers. I know how much he loves the club." Mark Hateley is set to battle Morton for Ian Durrant's signature. Durrant met Hateley yesterday to discuss a move to Hull. Both clubs hope to pick up Durrant on a free transfer as Rangers try to reduce the size of their squad.
Sergio Porrini said, "I didn't know Gattuso in Italy, but he has impressed me a lot at Rangers. He is a very hard working player who shows clever touches on the ball. For a young player he uses the ball intelligently and displays a lot of confidence. Gattuso is also quick and alert and I believe he can make a big impression at Rangers." Hearts midfielder Stefano Salvatori added, "he is a very, very good player. Gattuso will be an important signing for Rangers because he is still young and so talented. I didn't know anything about him before he joined, but I do now." Archie Knox explained, "we first became aware of Gattuso six months ago through our scouting network. He's an impressive little lad who puts himself about. Gattuso seems to want to be all over the pitch, but once he settles to playing a specific position he'll contribute a bit more. But he's a great enthusiast and looks eager to be involved and show what he's capable of." Dave McPherson admitted, " I liked the look of Gattuso in midfield, he looks like a real find. Rangers are definitely going to be a force to be reckoned with." Andy Goram has vowed to fight for his Ibrox place. His agent Catherine Robertson has insisted that he is going nowhere. She said, "it has never been intimated to Andy or me that Rangers are ready to sell him. In any case, Andy does not want to leave Rangers and is working as hard as he can to get fit. He arrived back for pre-season training before the rest of the squad and was fitter than he has been for a long time before he picked up this injury. He's lost weight and is more determined than ever to win back his place in the Rangers team when he's fit. To be honest, he's surprised by these stories because nobody at Rangers has told him that he will be sold."
Joachim Bjorklund and Jonas Thern will turn out for Rangers against Hearts a week tomorrow. The pair have been given clearance by international boss Tommy Svensson to play in the match although Sweden have a friendly 48 hours later. Walter Smith said, "we have a good relationship with Tommy and he's told us we can play both Bjorklund and Thern." He added with a smile, "It certainly helps that Tommy is Joachim's uncle." Sebastian Rozental looks like being fit to play against Gothenburg on 13 August. Walter Smith said, "it will be like getting a new player. Seb came through his first training game and this six month recovery from the operation ends on August 5. I'd hope to have him ready for action by then. I've always wanted to see him link up with Brian Laudrup, we haven't had that luxury yet but he's almost there." Hearts are ready to revive their interest in Derek McInnes and hope to sign him for £300,000. McInnes, currently struggling with an knee injury, has his work cut out for him if he is going to break into the Rangers first team. Walter Smith would like to keep him as injury cover but the 24 year old midfielder is desperate for first team football.
Rangers went to Tynecastle with little more than a reserve team but still managed to produce some of their best football of he past year in spells. Things went downhill in the second half following the substitution of Paul Gascoigne but Rino Gattuso's performance suggests he may be the find of the season. Gascoigne scored the first goal after only five minutes. There seemed to be little danger as the Englishman picked up the ball just inside Hearts half. First he sidestepped Stefano Salvatori. Then as he made his way towards the box played a great one-two with Erik Bo Andersen. As the Dane flicked the ball into his path Gazza looked as though he would hit it on the volley, only to send a stunning chip curling over the Hearts 'keeper. Hearts equalised 20 minutes later. Paul Ritchie opted for route one and sent a 40 yard ball over the head of Tony Vidmar. Although Jim Hamilton looked offside he calmly cushioned the ball with his right foot before sending a shot in off Theo Snelders right hand post. Ten minutes after the break Hearts took the lead. Steve Fulton (I told you Baggio would play - ed) sent a pass to John Robertson in space at the left hand side of Rangers' area. Robertson sent a low ball to the back post and with Snelders and Vidmar scrambling back Hamilton slid in to poke the ball home. With 15 minutes to go Rangers equalised. Charlie Miller crossed the ball from the right hand side and Staale Stensaas appeared at the back post to scramble a header into the net. Within 60 seconds Hearts regained their lead and it was Hamilton who claimed his hat-trick, the first man to do so since another Hearts player Allan Johnson achieved the feat 18 months ago. Staale Stensaas failed to cut out a cross ball in midfield and allowed Stevie Frail to move down the right touchline. His cross should have been intercepted by Gary Bollan but he took his eye off the ball and Hamilton slammed it past Snelders. Rangers played very well for large spells of the game and even in the second half after Gascoigne and Gattuso were substituted showed some great football up to the edge of Hearts 18 yard box. They lacked a bit of firepower up front which is not surprising given that over £15 million of available talent was missing from the team.
Rangers Snelders 6 Wright 4 Stensaas 5 Vidmar 7 Porrini 8 Durrant 6 Miller 5 Gascoigne 8 Andersen 6 Gattuso 8 Van Vossen 4 Albertz 1 (Sub) Bollan 1 (Sub) McCoist 2 (Sub) McKnight 2 (Sub) Boyack 1 (Sub)Man of the Match: Rino Gattuso Falkirk Follower
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