|
|
|
|
Latest NewsWeek Beginning 27 December 1997 3 January 1998 Smith defended his decision to leave Paul Gascoigne on the bench until the 70th minute. He said, "having not played five of the last six games it was too much to ask of him. I never really contemplated starting with Paul as this was always going to be one of the hardest games to play. We have two home matches now and that is a help, but we will have to do better than in the second-half today." Wim Jansen said, "we know the system they like to play, so we wanted to play pretty much the same way with an extra man up front. We had done the same to secure a 1-1 draw here on November 19 and it worked for us in a game I feel we deserved to win. I'm delighted with the second-half when from the first minute of that half we put them under pressure. I feel the way we played today can give us confidence. I reckon we played better as the match progressed and dominated the game after the break. The one time I was concerned was early in the second-half when the goal had not come. We had a lot of pressure, but there is always the concern they might counter-attack and score as happened earlier this season. Even when we did score it was not over as they came back, but the second goal made us safe." Paul Gascoigne may be in more trouble from the SFA after Sky cameras momentarily caught him playing an imaginary flute as he warmed up behind the goal. Despite the fact the incident caused no trouble and there were no complaints made at the stadium, police will invite Rangers to take action against Gascoigne. Neither Celtic security nor referee Hugh Dallas were even aware of Gascoigne's actions. A Strathclyde Police spokesman said: "the matter was reported to us by a television viewer but he does not want to take the matter further if Rangers deal with the incident internally. If action is taken, he will be happy with that. A representative of Rangers will be spoken to by the divisional commander from London Road." Joachim Bjorklund missed yesterday's match at Parkhead due to a viral complaint. His situation is not serious and he should he able to resume training on Monday morning.
Rangers Goram 9 McCall 7 Cleland 6 Gough 6 Porrini 6 Albertz 5 Thern 6 I Ferguson 6 Negri 5 Gattuso 5 Laudrup 6 Durie 6 (Sub) Gascoigne 5 (Sub) Man of the Match: Andy Goram Falkirk Follower
"I admit that when I came here at first I had many problems. I had to learn a new language, I was staying in a new country, in a new home with a new car and I was away from my family. That was difficult but it's also normal for someone to feel that way at the beginning. But after the first month those problems had gone. Now I am extremely happy with Rangers and I don't want to go back to Italy. I want to stay here. I want to keep playing for Rangers and to keep scoring goals for them." "When a player goes to a new team he always hopes to start very well and that was the way I felt when I came here. Right now I could not be happier with the way things have gone. I have to say thanks to my team- mates because the only reason I have scored so many goals is because of their help. The goals have been many and I hope to continue but the first thing in my mind for Rangers, my team-mates and the manager is to win the league and to give satisfaction to the fans. If I don't score it does not matter. All that matters is that we win this League." "When I came here at first the people in Italy told me that Scottish football was of a medium level. After 20 games I don't agree with that. For me, the level is very, very good. In every game I play the opposition has two or three very good players. That is another reason why I am so happy here in Scotland." "In Italy the players go to training and then they go home. But here in Scotland the players are like one big family. I like this, it is very good for the team. It is very nice to have so many friends in the team. At Christmas we had a fancy dress party and that is something that would never happen back home. But I loved it. I went as an orangutan and my friend Rino Gattuso was a gorilla. It was a very nice night and it is very important also for the atmosphere in our dressing room. It is one of the things I like so much about Scotland. I also love the wonderful nature in the Scottish countryside." "The people, too, are very, very friendly and they have helped me whenever I have had a problem, they have helped me with everything. Also I love to play golf. If it is a nice day I will go to play golf after training. Or sometimes I like to go shopping in Glasgow. There are so many things for me to do and it makes me very happy to live in the city." "For me, the first goal is always the most beautiful. I know that not many people saw that goal and that it was not against a great side. But when I came to Scotland I was dreaming of scoring for Rangers for the first time. That is why that first goal in the Faroe Islands will always stay in my memory, but I hope there are a lot more to come." Staale Stensaas looks likely to sit out today's Old Firm match after a nightmare display in the first half against Dundee Utd last weekend before he was replaced by Tony Vidmar. Walter Smith has several defensive options and looks likely to switch Alex Cleland to left back to replace Stensaas. Stuart McCall could move into the right back slot leaving Richard Gough, Sergio Porrini and Joachim Bjorklund to play in the centre. Rangers are boosted by the return of Andy Goram, Jonas Thern, Paul Gascoigne, Gordon Durie and Rino Gattuso. Thern seems likely to have to settle for a place on the bench as Gascoigne prepares to make a comeback after a four match ban. Celtic received a boost yesterday when Henrik Larsson trained for the first time in a week. If there is no adverse reaction then he will be in the starting line-up. Coach Wim Jansen also confirmed that central defenders Marc Rieper and Alan Stubbs are fit. French defender Stephane Mahe, who was sent off at Ibrox earlier in the season, is still struggling with an ankle injury and will not play. Jansen also hinted that Norwegian striker Harald Brattbakk could be ready for his first start after three substitute appearances since his £2 million switch from Rosenborg last month.
Walter Smith will go to Parkhead for the last time as Rangers manager tomorrow and hopes to continue a record which has seen him lose only one of eleven matches there since he took over in 1991. Stuart McCall said, "I heard someone talking about the gaffer's record at Parkhead the other day and I couldn't believe it. To have lost just one out of 11 league matches is incredible. It would be great if we could go there and win again for him. He enjoys the Old Firm games but I've noticed he has been a lot calmer this season, especially during the game against them at Ibrox. Maybe he was doing that to try and help the new boys settle down but it wasn't like him, last season he was running up and down like a lunatic." "People think we change our game when we go to Parkhead and try to hit Celtic on the break but that's never been his plan. The gaffer has never sent us out to defend against Celtic, it just happens that way." I've been all over the place recently in defence, midfield and even as a wing back, although Walter did tell me after that one that he'd never do it to me again. Playing as a wing back is okay if you are 23 but at 33 it is a struggle. I'd been hoping to get back into midfield when Gazza was suspended but then Goughie was injured and I went into the back four. Defence is a damn sight easier than midfield, I could play there until I am 53." "All I want is a place in the team anywhere from 1 to 11. I suppose only Goughie, Marco Negri and Brian Laudrup are certain starters. The rest of us will have to wait and see. But if I had my choice it would be a place in the middle of the park. That's where it all happens in Old Firm games. I just hope that at five to two I'll be one of the ones running out that tunnel, not running up the stairs for a pie." Walter Smith said, "I have always considered Parkhead to be the most difficult place to pick up points. We've managed to do well there in the past with good team performances and, at times, good individual performances. There have been other occasions when we've had luck and we'll need all of these things again if we are to have success. Goram, Gough, Thern, Gascoigne, Durie and Gattuso are all available but we now have to assess their match fitness, Gascoigne and Thern in particular. We'll make the decision on Friday." "I don't see that our record will put us under any extra pressure, the pressure is there anyway. It is a game where there is always pressure on us because of the expectation of the fans. It would be that way no matter where the clubs are in the league." Paolo Di Canio is convinced that Marco Negri will score 60 goals for Rangers this season because Scottish defending is so poor. He said, "at the rate Marco is scoring, he will reach 60 in all competitions by the end of the season. The year I spent in Scotland made me realise that a striker of Marco's qualities could run riot. Given the far from high standard of many of the opposing sides, strikers get an average of eight to ten chances every game. Negri is a goal poacher supreme and he always puts himself about with the maximum efficiency. Forget the fact that Rangers are a strong side. Marco is also capable of scoring 20 goals a season in Italy's Serie A."
"The first 25 minutes are always mental with tackles flying in all over the place. But if Rino can control his aggression, I'm sure he will have a big part to play in the match. The midfield has to be won and this lad will be digging in there for all he is worth. Rangers are getting Gattuso, Gascoigne, Gough and Goram back at just the right time." "Gazza has been out for the past month but that could help him in the coming months because his batteries will be recharged. He's also got the World Cup to look forward to and that will motivate him like nothing on earth. I was in at Ibrox during the week and he's looking lean and fit and desperate to be playing again. The other two boys, Goughie and Goram, are always vital in Old Firm games. Andy seems to save his best performances for these games and no doubt he'll be up for Friday. With these players back and Marco Negri up front, I just can't see past Rangers. I'm sure they'll move seven points clear of Celtic and that is a big gap with half the season to go." Luigi Riccio could sign for Rangers later on this week. Walter Smith has offered the Perugia kid a three-year deal and his agent Stanislau Grimaldi said last night: "The deal is more or less done and there are no problems."
Paul Gascoigne was in terrific form yesterday as Rangers beat Raith Rovers 3-1 in a closed doors match at Stark's Park. The Kirkcaldy club's scorer Kevin Twaddle said afterwards, "Gascoigne was absolutely amazing, I have never seen one player dominate a match as much. I know it was only supposed to be a friendly but, nevertheless, everything he did oozed class. He scored a fantastic goal in off the junction of the post and bar, but it was his passing and running that was so impressive. He was a joy to watch and play against and even more amazing was the fact that he said afterwards that he hadn't even kicked a ball in the time he has been out. He looked ready to play against Celtic all right, he was brilliant." Ally McCoist scored both of Rangers' other two goals from the penalty spot. Andy Goram also came through the game without any problem. Twaddle added, "I had four chances in the game, scored one, missed two and Andy produced a great save from a volley. He also looks fit and ready for Friday." Jonas Thern also came through without any ill effects but Richard Gough did not figure and must be rated a doubt for Friday's Old Firm clash. Ally McCoist could be on his way back to former club Sunderland. The Rangers striker will leave Ibrox on a three-month loan deal early in January to get the regular first team football he requires to forge a place in Craig Brown's World Cup plans. McCoist would relish the chance to play at a higher level than Second Division Fulham could offer, and would jump at a return to Wearside. Sunderland are unbeaten in 14 matches in the First Division and that could represent a problem for McCoist. Peter Reid wants McCoist in his squad but may not break up his first choice strike partnership of Niall Quinn and Kevin Phillips. McCoist wouldn't swap a place on the Ibrox bench for the same position at the Stadium of Light. Craig Brown said yesterday he would pick Ally McCoist for France 98 no matter where he is playing, as long as he was still scoring regularly. He said, "if McCoist could go down there, play regularly and score goals then he would be in my plans. We are talking about a guy who has scored 19 goals for Scotland, he is a tried and tested international striker. It's also worth remembering that three of our strikers, John Spencer, Paul Dickov and Dougie Freedman, all scored in the First Division at the weekend and John McGinlay is also in that league. The door is also open to them." Ray Wilkins would still like to take his former team-mate to Fulham. He said, "now I know Rangers are willing to let McCoist go on loan I'll be giving it a lot of thought over the next couple of days." Celtic defender Jackie McNamara hopes that Andy Goram will be off form on Friday. The Rangers 'keeper always seems to save his best displays for Old Firm matches. McNamara said, "it was disappointing that we lost 1-0 against St Johnstone on Saturday and we all know we didn't play well. We know we have got to put it right on Friday. It is important for us mentally to win this game. We need to close the gap and put the pressure on them. I think we just need a bit of luck in front of goal and hopefully have Andy Goram in less good form than he has been against us before."
Amoruso told the Italian paper Tuttosport , "the number one objective is still Lippi. It's another mentality in Scotland and I'm sure Lippi would love this kind of football. The stadium is always full, the people go to the stadium for a festival and everything is spectacular for them, from defenders tackling to forwards fighting for the ball. The Scottish League is very physical and its tactics are not among the top in Europe. Not many of the trainers can teach the players how to play tactically and Scottish football needs coaches such as Lippi." Sergio Porrini and I have told our president recently that Rangers need an Italian trainer Money is not a problem at Rangers, they can offer the right man £5 million for a contract. Rangers are fed up with winning the title and losing in the early rounds in Europe and it would be a good challenge for them to choose an Italian trainer. Juventus would not like to lose Lippi, but my Italian colleagues at Ibrox hope they do. We hope Juve win the title again this year so he will need a new challenge again, not in Italy but abroad. Lippi is one of those coaches who has won everything, changing his squad a lot. He knows the tricks of the trade. To win, especially in Europe, you have to get someone who knows his stuff." The Sun reports that Borussia Dortmund coach Ottmar Hitzfeld has rejected the chance of becoming Rangers new manager. He said, "it was a big surprise for me to be approached by Rangers, but I have no interest in joining them. I honestly don't know where I will be at the end of the season." Alex Cleland is doing his best to stake a claim for the Scotland World Cup squad but knows he has his work cut out to achieve his aim. He said, "I would love a call from Craig Brown. It's going to be hard for anyone not already in the squad to break through, but there's a B international against Denmark in March. I'd love to think I could be involved then, just as long as I am not marking Brian Laudrup! People say he's been below par this season but his below par is still a different class from anybody else. He's a world class player and the fans expect to see the magic from him every week. If he's been affected, I haven't seen much of it." "I don't score many goals but I really enjoyed scoring on Saturday against my former team. It was the turning point in the came, but it all came about because of two minutes of magic from Brain. His free kick was superb, as was his cross for my goal. We were looking at going in 1-0 down at half time until Brian produced that. It was important for Brain to come back and get that game under his belt before the Old Firm match, it was a first class performance from him." Walter Smith said, "Laudrup will be okay for the Celtic game. I only expected him to play for an hour against United, but he managed a little more than that before we took him off. Andy Goram will also be fit to play, along with Gough. Gascoigne will be available after suspension and Jonas Thern will be ready for selection as well. Gattuso and Durie will also be ready, so we have a selection headache." Tommy McLean said, "we started the game well and you could see that from the way the crowd were starting to boo Rangers, but all that changed with two goals in a minute. Instead of them having their heads down at half time, we went up the tunnel 2-1 down. By the end of the game we were a little ragged and disjointed, but I still thought the scoreline flattered Rangers."
Stuart McCall was pleased Rangers overcame Dundee United yesterday but admitted Walter Smith now has a selection headache before Friday's match with Celtic. McCall said, "the manager now has a headache for the next game but it is one he'll welcome. He has Andy Goram, Richard Gough, Paul Gascoigne, Jonas Thern, Rino Gattuso and Gordon Durie back, all guys who would normally play. What a battle for places. Let's just say I reckon training is going to be a little bit fierce this week." "The game was still close going into the final 20 minutes but Marco's two goals - his 29th and 30th League goals of the season made it safe. He's exactly the same as Ally. They both have the same incredible workrate outside the box! Marco's getting stronger every week and he loves life here. If you'd seen him at the Christmas party you'd have known that." United boss Tommy McLean was not pleased that his side let their lead slip in the five minutes leading up to half time. He said, " thought we looked well worthy of our lead at that point but they were to get two goals in a minute that changed it. Later we had a Robbie Winters penalty claim I'd like to see again but when Negri was five yards from Dykstra everyone knew it would be a penalty. That's the difference between experience and inexperience." Walter Smith was relieved that United were only in front for a brief period in the first half. He said, "I was glad that we got those two goals before the interval because United are the sort of team who will score if you have to push forward and leave gaps late in the game." The Rangers manager defended Richard Gough after the game yesterday and explained the comments the Rangers captain made to a newspaper yesterday. Smith said, "Richard was asked what would happen if the new manager didn't want him. He said that if that was the case then he didn't want to hang around in the reserves. Do you expect someone who has been skipper of this club through such a successful period to stay in the second team? He had an agreement when he returned to help us with our injuries that if he didn't feature in the team he could look at his future. Unless we get a new manager before I quit in May then there is no chance of Richard Gough leaving the club this season." Celtic player Morten Wieghorst is now insisting that the referee was correct to send Paul Gascoigne off in the last Old Firm match. He was quoted at the time as saying that Gascoigne was unlucky to be sent off. Yesterday he said, "I was totally misquoted after the game. I was quoted as saying the ref got it wrong, that's something I would never say. It would be foolish of me to say something like that because, apart from anything else, saying the referee got it wrong would make me look like a cheat, which I'm not. The referee has to make his decision in a split second." Goalkeeper Jonathan Gould believes that Andy Goram is one of the best shot stopper in Europe. He said, "I went to Villa Park last summer to watch Scotland play Holland in Euro 96 and the performance Andy gave that day was the best I have ever seen by any goalkeeper. It had everything, agility, reactions, concentration, shot-stopping. I came away knowing why he had such a high reputation. And that's a reputation which is known not only in Scotland and England but throughout Europe. From the point of view of someone getting into the international squad, it gave me an idea of the kind of standard which is required. From a club point of view, it shows what a hard man he is to beat when his eye is in." Wim Jansen has admitted that Old Firm matches are louder than World Cup finals. He said, "I've played in two World Cup Finals, I've played in derby games in Holland, but nothing compares to Rangers V Celtic games. They're the noisiest of the lot. It gives me one very simple problem, the players can't hear a word I am saying. The players try not to treat the game any differently, which is good. But everyone around them gets caught up in the hype of the occasion, and that can have its effect." Joachim Bjorklund promised Rangers fans that they still have to see the best of Jonas Thern. He said, "I've played over 50 times with him for Sweden and I can tell you all about his pedigree. With his injuries and family problems behind him the fans will see the best of him. My dad played in midfield with Jonas at Vernamo which is Jonas' home town. My dad was finishing his career and Jonas was just starting out but even then he was an exceptional player." Walter Smith will go into Friday's game against Celtic without any fear because his players have already shown their bottle for the big occasion this season. He said, "this is my last league game at Parkhead and I want to go out a winner. But every time my players have been under pressure in big league games they have responded. I don't worry about that. What I worry about is that we should have that same approach in every game. When you look at our record against Celtic and Hearts you have to wonder why the league is so close." Finnish goalkeeper Antti Niemi has recovered from his broken finger and will play a series of reserve games in the coming weeks. Despite the recent injuries to Andy Goram, Niemi's problems have prevented him establishing himself in the first team. He said, "I knew I had a chance when Andy was out, so that didn't make me any happier about the situation. We get on very well. Myself, Andy, Theo and Alan work away together in training and I'm pleased Theo got his chance against Hearts and did very well."
Rangers Snelders 6 Cleland 7 Stensaas 3 McCall 9 Porrini 7 Bjorklund 7 B Ferguson 6 I Ferguson 7 Negri 8 Albertz 9 Laudrup 7 Vidmar 5 (Sub) Durrant 3 (Sub) McCoist 2 (Sub) Man of the Match: Jorg Albertz Falkirk Follower
Fixtures 1997/98 | Results 1996/97 | Monthly Quiz Caption Contest | Other Links | Disclaimer | Main Sign Guestbook | View Guestbook Falkirk Follower (itsgonnabe9@oocities.com)  |
