|
|
Latest NewsWeek Beginning 9 August 1997
16 August 1997 David Murray defended Walter Smith on Friday Sportscene last night. He said, "it's no coincidence Dundee United were the only team to perform well in Europe this week and they were the only side who didn't add to their squa in the close season. They had no great changes to their side, knew how each other play and were ready for their game. Perhaps it's time to look at the idea of buying players in mid-season rather than the summer so they have time to gel for Europe. But we can offer no excuses for our performance. Individually we have the better players, but collectively we were not as good." "The fact is that we have played badly in one half of one match. We have been punished for it and then criticised heavily. Walter in particular has come in for very heavy criticism from certain sections of the media and some Rangers supporters and that distresses me. If you are going to judge us then you must judge us collectively from the Chairman down. It is not right to single out Walter who is a soft target. There is no question of me sacking Walter Smith. Walter will decide when the time is up for him at this club and as far as I know he is perfectly happy." "If Walter was unhappy he would be the first one to tell me. But I don't like the kind of attacks that have been made on him. A lot of it is personal and nasty. What's more it is coming from people who are two faced and have nothing constructive to offer. I have had a look at Walter's record in Europe. He's been in charge for 35 games, won 14 of them, lost 13 and drawn the rest. It's not a brilliant record but it is reasonable." "Wednesday's game was always going to be difficult. We were vulnerable. We had a new team playing away from home in a game of massive importance against an experienced side. We were also without Laudrup, Rozental, Amoruso, McCall and McLaren, five key players. I always felt the potential was there for a slip up and that is why I am not overly concerned by the result. But if the same thing happens when the players are back and playing on a regular basis then I would be furious. A defeat like that in November would give us cause to worry." "I still believe we now have a squad of players equal to anything in Britain, including Manchester United. I remain convinced that we have a better team than Gothenburg. Don't tell me that Jonas Thern is not better than anything they have, he is Swedish captain. Also Joachim Bjorklund has won more caps for Sweden than any Gothenburg defender. No one should judge this team until such times as it is operating as a unit." "If we play as a team in the return we are capable of winning by three goals. Had it been 2-0 we would stand a better chance but it is not over yet. I know how disappointed the supporters are but you are not a Rangers supporter for one week, you are a Rangers supporter for life. The average price for the Gothenburg game is £22, not the £30 that has been quoted, and we've sold almost 30,000 already. What annoys me is that I had three letters thanking me for keeping season ticket prices down and 300 complaining about Champions' League prices." Brian Laudrup should be fit for the second leg a week on Wednesday. He said, "I can understand people calling it Mission Impossible because Gothenburg aren't the sort of side who throw away a three goal advantage. Nevertheless, if I'm fit in time I feel I might be able to help. Perhaps it is too late but despite this we will give it our best shot." Hamburg are interested in a £2 million swoop for Jorg Albertz. Coach Bernd Wehmeer said, "I'd have him back in a second. I'm just hoping Jorg feels he wants a move after Rangers defeat the other night. If he does and Rangers are ready to talk terms I'll be straight in there with a bid."
"Because of all this I had cramp for the last hour of the game which was very painful. I don't usually suffer from cramp, but even in the first half I didn't feel right because I had to run about so much. They had chances to score a lot more. Everything went wrong in the last half hour. We didn't play with the same tempo as in the first half and paid the price for it. Of course, we haven't given up and will give our all at Ibrox, but I don't think Gothenburg will miss this opportunity. We have disappointed our fans who won't see the UEFA Cup as any kind of consolation." Gothenburg 'keeper Thomas Ravelli said, "it was our best ever performance in Europe, but I was surprised we won by such a big margin. I went over to commiserate with Andy Goram because I felt sorry for him. I was surprised at how badly Rangers defended at times, and also with their fitness in the second half. They have only three weeks to sort themselves out and prove it was only a fluke they lost those three goals." "I'm sure one of the main factors they looked so tired was the heat. We've played a lot of matches in it and become used to the baking weather. Rangers found it hot on and off the park and they couldn't adapt. That's what made their legs tired. In 1986 we beat Barcelona 3-0, then lost by the same score and went out on penalties. I know about joy turning into disappointment after that experience. But I have the feeling this time we can score in Glasgow, and that would make it impossible for Rangers." Andreas Andersson who was recalled from AC Milan for the game admitted he would like the chance to play at Ibrox in a fortnight. He said, "it would be interesting to play in the second leg but I don't know if I will be needed." Walter Smith hit back after Mats Jingblad said he was surprised that Jonas Thern had got cramp. Smith said, "every manager wants to comment on Rangers, but I don't like to do that to the other side. The reason for the cramp Thern suffered was because he took a knock on his back and it caused his hamstring to tighten up. It's very difficult because we've only had one competitive league game and the matches against Gotu weren't a test in that respect. It was the same against Alania Vladikavkaz last season and it will be the same every season for Scottish clubs the way the system is at present."
"You won't get any excuses from me. I thought we played reasonably well in the first half, without creating too many problems for the Swedes. But in the second half our defence fell apart. We lost bad goals and we have one enormous task to face if we are to get through to the Champions League. Gothenburg never did much to get their goals. We will give it a go in the second leg. But we must tighten up at the back." "I am hugely disappointed. Indeed, I have never felt so down as I do now. Gothenburg were a decent team, but having said that, we should have performed much better than we did. I have to say that we still have a chance, but we have made life very difficult for ourselves. I always knew it would take time for this squad to gel, but that fact is no excuse whatsoever for the way we played in the second half. We lost goals that in normal circumstances, we would not be able to tolerate. There was a lack of understanding about us, and a shortage of quality work defensively." "Simply, we weren't good enough. I think we do have a chance of making it to the Champions League, but that will mean us getting an early goal at Ibrox in the return leg two weeks from now. Gothenburg are very much in the driving seat as the tie stands, and I'm not about to say to our supporters that they can look forward to a major European future. I knew there would be difficulties in moulding this side. I have said so over the past few months. But I couldn't legislate for the defensive blunders that cost us the three goals in the second half." Gothenburg coach Mats Jingblad said, "if we score at Ibrox it will be over for them. We started to put long balls behind their defenders after the interval. Porrini and Bjorklund had been heading them away in the first half but the change created greater chances for us. Rangers didn't look so fit in the midfield. Thern took cramp and that is very unusual for him. I've seen Paul Gascoigne play better. We took care of him. However I'll repeat we're not through yet, it's only half time and I wasn't kidding when I said we were the underdogs."
Rangers: Goram, Cleland, Stensaas, Porrini, Vidmar, Bjorklund, Thern, Gascoigne, Albertz, Negri, Durie Subs: McCoist, Ferguson
"Gothenburg play well as a team but they don't have too many outstanding stars. Their striker Andreas Andersson is dangerous and I remember him well. He is a good player who is very fast, even quicker off the ball than when he has possession. They are also very strong at set pieces. We will need to guard against getting caught out in those situations." Walter Smith said, "the team could have done with more matches at this stage. I'm happy with what we've achieved so far, but this is a much bigger test. We have to do well to give us the chance of qualifying. There will be pressure and tension, and we will see how my players stand up to that." Andreas Andersson has dispelled fears that he will not be ready for tonight's Champions League qualifier against Rangers. He said, "I've come back for these matches, and I want to make them count. The best way is to put Rangers out the tourney. That will help Gothenburg, and it will also show my new bosses in Milan what I can do. I know it's an unusual situation, but it's nothing to do with me. The agreement was made between the clubs and it was finally agreed two weeks ago. It's a nice feeling to be wanted." Gothenburg coach Mats Jingblad admitted, "It is a gamble to play Andreas. But please ask me after the game if it paid off. Andreas has a big career ahead of him in Milan but I know him well and I know he will give all his heart to Gothenburg in these two games against Rangers. We are most definitely the underdogs in this game, Rangers are going to be one of the top 10 teams in Europe soon. But they are without Brian Laudrup and that will help us." Rangers players are on £24,000 a man to beat Gothenburg over the two legs. They have already been paid £6,000 each for beating GI Gotu in the preliminary round. If they qualify for the Champions' League there is another £6000 per victory on offer with qualification for the Quarter Finals worth another £50,000 each. The bonus payments have been agreed by Brian Laudrup and David Murray. Vitesse Arnhem hope to complete the £1.1 million transfer of Peter Van Vossen before Friday's European transfer deadline. Manager Leo Beenhakker said, "I don't see any problems with the deal. It should go through in the next few days. We have still to reach an exact agreement with Rangers over the transfer fee, but we are not far away and we have money to spend. Peter is a quality player who we have looked at for a long time. We will be very pleased to sign him."
Thern also admitted he is surprised by Andreas Andersson's decision to return to Gotheburg for the match from a pre-season tour of Brazil with his new club AC MIlan. Thern admitted, "it's not a situation I would like to find myself in and it can't be good for Andreas. He's a very good player and he has the chance to get into the starting eleven at Milan. But if I were him I would think twice about playing against Rangers. It would be good for Gothenburg but for himself he could be a loser. I wonder what would happen if he got injured as he has moved clubs. I don't see how he can be fit either physically or mentally." Rangers suffered another scare yesterday when Paul Gascoigne missed training with a calf injury. Walter Smith said, "Gazza will be fit for the Gothenburg game but the onus is not just on him to give a good performance. It's up to all the players. I've seen Gothenburg frequently. They are difficult to break down and are capable of achieving good results as they have shown in Europe." Injury doubts persist over Ian Ferguson and Craig Moore. Stuart McCall returned to training again yesterday as he battles to recover from a knee ligament operation which has kept him out for the last 10 months. Walter Smith said, "I'm pleased because he's ahead of schedule but after such a long layoff he he needs matches and he'll get a game in the reserves soon." Sunday's match with Kilmarnock at Rugby Park has been postponed after five players were called up for international dut. Jonas Thern, Joachim Bjorklund, Antti Niemi, Staale Stensaas and Brian Laudrup were all named in their international squads. Clubs require two players to be called up to invoke the postponement ruling and the game has now been switched to 24 September. There is some doubt surrounding Erik Bo Andersen's proposed move to Nantes. The Daily Record says Andersen will fly to France today for a medical before clinching a £1.25 million deal. David Murray is quoted as saying, "we bought Erik for £1.35 million so we are more or less getting our money back. He goes to France with our best wishes." The Sun meanwhile reports that Nantes have pulled out of the move after failing to agree terms with the striker.
Gothenburg may be forced to play a striker in defence against Rangers. International hitman Magnus Erlingmark played in the heart of defence on Saturday as they beat Vasteras 2-0. Erlingmark may well play in the same position on Wednesday after the loss of Teddy Lucic through injury. Striker Johnny Ekstrom has also been ruled out of the tie with a thigh knock but should be fit for the return. Mats Jingblad, who last week claimed his side would easily contain Laudrup, showed his obvious delight when it became apparent the Dane would be unable to play on Wednesday. He said, "Laudrup is an outstanding player and if he is not playing it has got to be good news for us. He means so much to Rangers. I have watched them on a number of occasions and he has stood out every time as a player who can change the course of a game. But we have to be careful because Laudrup's absence can work both ways. The player who replaces him will be trying harder to impress." Gothenburg's crowds have slumped as their form has wavered in recent weeks. They were watched by only 4,168 fans at the weekend. Ally McCoist turned down a chance to join Newcastle United last week because he didn't want to offend his mother-in-law. Kenny Dalglish made a surprise bid to take the Ibrox star to St James's Park as a replacement for Alan Shearer. Walter Smith gave Dalglish no encouragement and the deal fell through. McCoist said, "my other-in-law is a Sunderland fan and she'd have decapitated me had I moved to Newcastle. Seriously, I was genuinely chuffed to bits when Kenny came in for me. I took it as a massive compliment that they wanted me now I'm going on 35." Mark Hateley wants to take Ally McCoist and Ian Durrant to Hull. He would like to rekindle his prolific strike partnership with McCoist for the Second Division club as he tries to gain promotion in his first season as manager. Hateley said, "I have not spoken to any individual players about coming to Hull, but I have had a chat with Walter about what the possibility might be. I will be going back to him in a month or so to find out if there are any players he would consider releasing. There are many quality players at Ibrox who may not be getting a regular game and I would be interested in bringing them here."
Several other clubs were chasing Andersen's signature including Italian side Lecce. He added, "Nantes was more attractive for two reasons. Firstly, they are in the UEFA Cup and secondly I feel the spotlight will be on French football because the World Cup will be there. Nantes have actually asked me to sign a four year contract but I would prefer to agree to three. But that's only a little problem to iron out and I'm ready now to move on." David Murray has hit back over criticism of the ticket prices for the Gothenburg game. Murray said, "what happens is thet 35p in the pound coming into this club is gained from fans at the turnstile. I make no apology for saying I will be disappointed if the fans don't consider it worth their while to fill Ibrox to see our return match with Gothenburg." "If I hadn't taken £40 million from Joe Lewis in return for 25% of my shares in the club, the ticket prices for the Champions' League, assuming we get there, would range from £80 to £90 per person. I put up the value of the club by taking that money. There was no personal gain on my part. I was effectively keeping down the price of seeing Rangers and building a better team. If fans think I can bring in Jonas Thern on a salary of £1 million a year and give them the Champions' League for £6 a head in return, they are wrong. "I thought the atmosphere inside the ground when we played Hearts was like the English Premiership. There used to be a distasteful side to Rngers' tradition. Now, the old ways are changing. All I ask is that the supporters judge me over the piece. I am acting in their best interests. I do not regard Rangers as being my life. My job is really my life, and Rangers are a big part of my job. Now the time has come to 'live or die by the sword' on the park." "Winning nine-in-a-row put the whole club under tremendous strain. There were supporters at the last AGM who didn't appreciate me saying that but it was true. Brian Laudrup said to me after the game at Tannadice that nobody would have remembered the good times if we had failed to equal Celtic's record. He was right." Rangers are urging Lorenzo Amoruso and Sebastian Rozental to take it easy as they bid to be fit for the second leg against Gothenburg on 27 August. Achie Knox said, "Lorenzo will rest up for 10 days after his heel op and we won't rush Seb who's been picking up little niggles after being out so long with knee trouble" Gothenburg skipper Stefan Lindqvist warned Walter Smith not to take Gothenburg lightly. He said, "Rangers are big favourites against us, but so were Manchester United and look what we did to them. Everyone knows we had good results in Europe againsy AC Milan, Barcelona and United. In all those games we were underdogs." Gothenburg face a security headache on Wednesday night because a local festival, a boat race, a Michael Jackson concert and the Rangers match all coincide. The 11 day long skalaset festival has filled the streets with revellers every night since last Thursday. IFK Director Thomas Wernersson said, "it will be very hectic and I hope the authorities can cope. They'll certainly be busy. The Goteborgskalaset lasts until next weekend and attracts visitors from all over Sweden. We also have the Tall Ships' races this week, then Michael Jackson is playing a concert in the same stadium where we play Rangers on Saturday evening. The city will be very busy. But Scottish supporters have a high reputation here so we don't anticipate any problems. The ground will only be half full with 12,000 tickets sold so far." Morton chief Allan McGraw is still keen on making Ian Durrant player coach at Cappielow. It now seems likely that McGraw will wait until after the Champions' League qualifier with Gothenburg before approaching Ibrox management. He said, "I was upset the news broke before I could speak to Walter but I still want to talk to him and I don't consider the deal to be dead."
|
