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Monday 30th April 2001

Gio and de Boer to return Dick Advocaat has found a chink of light in a dark season as both Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Ronald de Boer could return to action this weekend. The Light Blues travel to Hearts on Saturday desperate to atone for the 3-0 home defeat by Celtic, and the return of the Dutch duo will be a major bonus before the end of a depressing season for Ibrox fans. Van Bronckhorst has made just one appearance since October while de Boer has not featured since the Scottish Cup tie against Brechin City in January. Van Bronckhorst told Rangers' official website: "I'm desperate to play in a game before the end of the season. It would have been great to play in the derby game but that was just a little bit too soon for me, so hopefully I can make Hearts on Saturday. I have been training hard and I'm able to shoot again so this is the best I've felt in a long time. Right now all I want to think about is the next couple of weeks. The up-coming games are the most important thing at the moment. I just want to get my fitness back so I can return to first team action and help the boys cement the Champions League spot. Only then will I think about what is happening - but I am still a Rangers player." De Boer said: "I was on course for a comeback against Kilmarnock but I suffered another setback when I injured my Achilles due to all the sprinting I was doing. Maybe I have overdone it a bit and that meant I had to cool it. That happens when you're trying to come back from an injury, sometimes you're focusing so much on getting one part of your body fit that you forget about another part and that's what happened with me. It's been a bit disappointing for me at Ibrox. I felt I started quite well but I started to get some little problems with my knee and that certainly didn't help matters. But at long last my injury problems seem to be over and I could be back for Hearts." McMillan hits out at lack of passion The secretary of the Rangers Supporters Club has urged the Ibrox players to show more passion next season after a disastrous campaign. RSC secretary John McMillan insists that the complete clear-out advocated by some pundits is not viable. McMillan said: "I'm quite sure that there are some players who are surplus to requirements. But the difficulty they have is that, while clubs can pay the transfer fee, they might have difficulty paying the salaries some of the players are on. That is a very difficult situation. If a player is on a two or three-year contract, how do you move them on if the player cannot agree personal demands with the buying club. It is easy to say clear them out but, if a player is prepared to sit there and wait for his contract to run out, there is not much the club can do about it. I don't think you can unload half of your staff just to start afresh again. It takes time to build up. Rod Wallace and Sergio Porrini are going but their contracts are out in the summer. We have had players like Marco Negri and it is a difficult one to get out of. Negri had a magnificent few months and then did absolutely nothing. You think you are doing your best by signing a player on a two or three-year contract and then suddenly it turns sour and that can happen to the best of them. I think it would be difficult to unload a lot of the players with the way things are. I don't think the fans would like to see a complete clear-out but they would certainly like to see a few new faces to freshen the place up a bit. There is a limit to what you can do. David Murray should be credited for the money he has put into the club but it is not a bottomless bucket. You just can't go on forever paying out and I just hope, although it is not a short-term fix, once the new training ground is up and running we see something coming out of it. The short-term fix is just for the players to show some passion for the club. They are getting paid a lot of money so they should put in a fair day's shift and some of them just haven't done that this season. Hopefully they will now realise what it is all about. They have hit a trophy-less season and hopefully it will come home to some of them that you have got to work at something to get rewards - the same as any other job." But McMillan insists that the lack of spirit among the Rangers playing staff this season has cost them dearly against Celtic. McMillan said: "The players don't seem to have buckled down as we hoped they would and haven't shown the hunger for the game which was there for the previous two seasons. There are a lot of the same players there and just why that is provides a big question mark. Is it because complacency has set in at the start of the season and they never got out of it? It is taking time for the newer players to understand what it is all about and there should be no reason for that next season with some of the players. They should understand what victory means for Rangers now which doesn't mean that we have a divine right to win anything - you have to work and show the commitment to win things. We just haven't done that and Celtic have this season. There has been a lack of passion and that is difficult for the fans to understand. I just hope that some of the players realise just what it means to play for a club like Rangers." Amo fit for weekend Defender Lorenzo Amoruso will be available for the game at Hearts despite being carried off during the defeat by Celtic. Amoruso suffered a shin injury after a challenge by Neil Lennon and was taken off by stretcher 19 minutes from the end.

Saturday 28th April 2001

Team news Craig Moore and Tony Vidmar return to the squad for tomorrow's game. Recent signing Marcus Gayle misses out again as does Kenny Miller who was injured while away with Scotland. Giovanni van Bronckhorst has failed in his bid to return to the side tomorrow Probable lineup : (3-5-2) Klos - Wilson/Moore, Konterman, Amoruso - Ricksen. Wallace, Ferguson, Albertz, Numan - Dodds, Flo No deal for Fernandes Fabrice Fernandes will not be staying on at Rangers once his loan deal expires at the end of the season, his agent has said. Willie Mackay said: "Rangers have told us they are no longer interested in Fabrice." The 21-year-old, who belongs to French club Rennes, was on loan at first division champions Fulham this season, until Rangers recruited him in March. Fernandes scored on his debut against Motherwell but has struggled to get into the team since then.

Wednesday 25th April 2001

Murray rubbishes Graham link David Murray has denied press reprtes the George Graham would be taking over from Dick Advocaat as manager in the summer. The report alledged that Advocaat had told friends in Holland he would resigning following an unsuccessful season at Ibrox. But Murray dismmised the reports as nonsense telling rangers.co.uk: "I find it absolutely amazing that nobody ever bothers to phone up and check these stories. It's nonsense. This type of news reporting is extremely disappointing but it's the kind of thing we've had to deal with all season. There is absolutely no truth in this at all. In fact, I can tell you that I have never even met or ever spoken to George Graham in my entire life. I would like all the Rangers supporters to know that Dick Advocaat is totally committed to Rangers Football Club, as has been demonstrated in interviews this week on his future plans." Pre-season fixtures revealed Rangers will start their build-up to next season in early July with 6 games arranged. the club start in Holland with 3 games against amuter opposition before moving on to play FC Copenhagen of Denmark and Malmo of Sweden. The only home game arranged at the moment is John Brown's testimional against RSC Anderlecht. Thursday 5th July - Dovo in Veenendal, Netherlands Saturday July 7 - Capelle in Capelle aan de Ijssel, Netherlands Monday July 9 - W.H.C. in Wezep, Netherlands Sunday July 15 - FC Copenhagen in Denmark Tuesday July 17 - Malmo in Sweden Saturday July 21 - Anderlecht at Ibrox

Monday 23rd April 2001

French striker inbound? French striker Pierre-Yves Andre was at Ibrox over the weekend to discuss terms over a possible summer transfer. The 27 year old, currently at Bastia, is rated a £2.5 million but is out of contract at the end of the season and would be available under a Bosman transfer. Advocaat said: "We will have to wait and see with Andre. He has seen the place but wants to wait a little bit longer before making any decision. He is a player we are definitely interested in and we will continue to watch him but, as I said, we'll have to wait and see." Galca interest withdrawn Rangers have decided not to sign Espanyol midfielder Constantin Galca, Advocaat made another trip to see the 29-year-old Romanian star in action, and later told rangers.co.uk: "Constantin Galca will not sign for Rangers. I watched him in action for Espanyol last night but I've decided that he isn't any better than what we currently have in our squad at Rangers, it's as simple as that."

Sunday 22nd April 2001

Germans gunning for Celts Jorg Albertz has stoked up Glasgow's 'Old Firm' rivalry by saying Celtic were "lucky" to win the Scottish title. The German international claimed in Sunday newspaper interviews that the Parkhead club only won the championship this season because of Rangers' own flaws. Celtic wrapped up the Scottish premier league over two weeks ago, with five games remaining, and are currently 18 points ahead of their Glasgow adversaries. But Albertz's attack is sure to increase the hype before the clubs meet next Sunday in the last Old Firm league encounter of the season at Ibrox Stadium. The German was quoted as saying in several Scottish Sunday newspapers: "Celtic have not won the title because they are so good, they have won because we have been so bad this season. We have been unlucky because so many players have been injured while Celtic have been fortunate that they could pick the same team every week. They were also lucky with some results. We proved in the past two seasons, when we won the Treble and then the Double, that we are the best team in Scotland when everyone is fit." Speaking after securing a clean sheet at Dundee Stefan Klos said: "Hopefully, we can get three points in that game and make sure we finish second in the league. We have some pride to get back after losing three times to Celtic and we can give something back to the supporters." Match Reaction Dick Advocaat was a happy man after Rangers had secured a 3-0 win at Dens Park - but acknowledged the debt his team owed to goalkeeper Stefan Klos. He said: "I think we started well. We scored an excellent goal to make it 1-0. We expected that Dundee would come back and they did. In a spell of 15 minutes they created three or four chances and Stefan Klos saved the game for us. In the second half I think we played quite professionally. I think the whole team worked very hard. At 1-0 there was a period of weakness but after that the team did well."

Friday 20th April 2001

Farewell to Baxter Scores of mourners have paid tribute to former Rangers and Scotland football idol Jim Baxter. The soccer legend died at the weekend after a long battle against cancer and his funeral took place at Glasgow Cathedral. Family members, Scottish football stars, politicians and members of the public paid their last respects to the former Ibrox idol, who was affectionately known as "Slim Jim". Baxter died of cancer at the age of 61 on Saturday.He spent a month in hospital after being diagnosed with the disease before returning to his Glasgow home to spend his final days with his family. Leading the mourners at the service were Baxter's father Robert, his sons Allan and Steven, who left affectionate floral tributes to their father, and his ex-partner Norma Morton. Present at the ceremony were a host of Rangers players past and present including Gordon Smith, Jimmy Miller, Colin Jackson, Brian McMillan, Barry Ferguson and Allan Johnson. Rangers manager Dick Advocaat and his predecessor Walter Smith attended, as did Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and former United and Scotland star Denis Law. Fans paid their respects and many arrived dressed in Rangers tops and scarves. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown and Scottish First Minister Henry McLeish joined the high profile mourners. The Reverend Dr William Morris spoke of his admiration for Baxter at the beginning of the service. He said: "For those of us who were spectators seeing him from a further distance, his retirement from the game left us and our lives that much the poorer." Reverend Stuart MacQuarrie told how he had spent a lot of time with Baxter in the weeks leading up to his death and had been touched by the way he faced up to the cancer he was suffering. He said: "A couple of weeks ago I went to meet Jim Baxter. Instead of me comforting Jim about what lay ahead, Jim laughed and joked as only he could. His concern was never for himself, it was for his two sons. Jim lifted my spirits and he did the same for those around him." Mourners laughed as Rev MacQuarrie told them how he believed Baxter would now be sitting in heaven and getting used to his new surroundings. He said: "Jim was one of the greatest football players this country ever produced and also one of this nation's most loved characters." The Bible readings at the service were delivered by Baxter's son Allan and Mr Brown, a life-long fan of Raith Rovers, the club where the star started his career. The order of service which mourners were handed as they entered Glasgow Cathedral also contained a booklet urging people to become organ donors. Baxter received two liver transplants in the same week in 1994. Author and broadcaster William McIlvanney described Baxter as a man who loved Rangers. He said the club gave him the big stage and it also cared about him. Mr McIlvanney said he had heard some people describe Jim Baxter as "an idol with feet of clay". He said: "But they were not made of clay. They were made of pure gold and the left was probably inlaid with diamonds, although the rest was definitely clay." Among the first to arrive for the service was Lisbon Lion Billy McNeill, ex-Celtic captain and manager. Speaking outside the cathedral, McNeill said that he was feeling "quite sad" and praised Baxter's footballing abilities. He said he had expected to see the huge crowd which gathered outside to listen to the funeral service on a public relay service. Baxter's coffin had arrived adorned with flowers spelling out the words Dad and the number six, which was the number he had worn on his team shirt. The pall bearers at the funeral were six of his former club's greatest stars - John Greig, Ralph Brand, Alex Willoughby, Sandy Jardine, Craig Watson and Willie Henderson. As Baxter's coffin was carried out of the cathedral, to music from the Black Watch Pipers, there was applause from the crowds who had gathered to pay tribute to the soccer legend.A private service for close friends and family followed at Linn Crematorium in Glasgow's south side. Baxter's ashes were later due to be buried at Ibrox behind the goal at the Copland Road end during a private ceremony. Since his death on Saturday, a makeshift shrine to Baxter has appeared at the Rangers ground. Speaking as he left the cathedral, Sir Alex Ferguson said: "I've got a million memories of Jim - far too many to mention. He was the best player Scotland has ever produced without question. We are never going to see anyone like him again." No speedy return for Mols Michael Mols admits he is still unsure when he will return to fitness. The Dutchman is set for a long rehabilitation programme aimed at finally shaking off the knee injury which has dogged his career at Ibrox. Mols had hoped to be back in time for the new season but concedes that he cannot offer a date for his return other than "before Christmas". Mols told the official Rangers site: "I'd love to say I can return in June and start training again. But the truth is I can't. We will have to wait and see how this training schedule goes and then take it from there. All I know is that I'll return before Christmas. As for exactly when, I don't know."

Wednesday 18th April 2001

Tugay issues warning Tugay has told Celtic to savour their title success while they can because he does not believe it will last long. The Turkish international admits that seeing his club's arch-rivals celebrate their championship triumph has hurt the fallen champions badly. This campaign has been even harder to stomach for Tugay and the Rangers fans with Martin O'Neill's men now just one game away from a famous Treble. But the 30-year-old has vowed to bring the fans the Premier League trophy back in 2002 and promises that the celebrations at Ibrox would eclipse the joyous scenes witnessed in the east of Glasgow this season. Tugay said: "If Celtic enjoyed winning the league we will enjoy it twice as much if we can win it back next season. We have to make that our main aim then we can concentrate on winning other things. I saw all the green and white scarves hanging out of car windows and all the celebrations. Next year we want to make sure it's the blue and white half of Glasgow who are enjoying success. It must be hard for them to sit and watch Celtic win after all the glory they have had over the past two seasons. But we will try so much harder next campaign. You want to be the best all the time."

Tuesday 17th April 2001

Funeral arrangements for Jim Baxter The funeral of Jim Baxter will take place at 10am on Friday 20th April at Glasgow Cathedral, hundreds of mourners - including past and present footballers, managers, celebrities and supporters - are expected to attend. The club also announced that an Urn containing Baxter's ashes will be buried behind the goal at the Copland Road end of the ground. Rangers spokesman Sandy Jardine said: "The urn will be buried with his ashes in the ground behind the goal. It will take place after Friday´s funeral in a private family ceremony. I´ll be holding a meeting this evening with people from Glasgow Cathedral so arrangements can be finalised. We expect a very large turnout for a man who was one of the greatest players ever."

Monday 16th April 2001

Under-21s hit Kilmarnock for 6 Rangers under-21 side beat Kilmarnock U-21s 6-0 tonight at Airdrie. $ first half goals from Macus Gayle were added to by a Kenny Miller double. Tugay, Jorg Albertz and Lorenzo Amoruso all played the whole game with no sign of adverse reactions. Murray rejects Flo move rumours David Murray has denied weekend press reports that striker Tore Andre Flo is set to leave Ibrox - possibly in the direction of Tottenham. The Norwegian star has been linked on and off with a switch to White Hart Lane of late after struggling following his £12million move from Chelsea, but Murray has now spoken out about the rumours that also link Spanish Champions Deportivo La Coruna with an interest. Reports claim that new manager Glenn Hoddle is eyeing the 27-year-old to lead his Spurs front-line next season and a figure of £10million is being suggested, but Murray was having none of it and said: "We are perfectly happy with Tore Andre Flo. He has taken time to settle in but is now showing signs of being the top-class player we believed him to be. We are not interested in moving him on."

Saturday 14th April 2001

'Slim Jim' Passes away Rangers legend Jim Baxter has died of cancer at the age of 61. The former Ibrox idol, affectionately known as `Slim Jim', was diagnosed with the disease in January and spent a month in hospital before returning to his Glasgow home to spend his final days with his family. Baxter was one of the finest wing-halves in world football in the early 1960s when he won three league championships, three Scottish Cups and four League Cups with Rangers. During his two stints with the club he made a total of 254 appearances and scored 24 goals. Baxter also won 34 caps for Scotland and represented the Rest of the World in the Football Association's centenary match against England at Wembley in 1963. Perhaps his most famous performance came at Wembley in 1967, when Scotland defeated World Cup holders England 3-2 to earn what they later described as the unofficial tag of `world champions'. Baxter produced a mesmerising display, which included playing his own game of `keepy-uppy' on the touchline and sitting on the ball at one stage to show how far he was in command of the English defence. However, his hard living took its toll and in July 1994 he had two liver transplants in four days at the Scottish Liver Transplant Unit at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. A Rangers statement said: "On behalf of Jim Baxter's family Rangers Football Club is deeply saddened to confirm that Jim passed away peacefully at home today. The Rangers and Scotland legend had been ill for some time and his family would like to extend their sincere thanks to his many friends and supporters and well-wishers who sent cards and messages of support and encouragement. Jim and his family greatly appreciated their kindness and concern. Jim's family have requested that they be allowed some privacy at this difficult time. Therefore all media enquiries should be directed to the public relations department at Rangers Football Club. The funeral will take place at Glasgow Cathedral. Details will be announced by Rangers Football Club as soon as arrangements have been concluded." Former Scotland international Denis Law insists Jim Baxter was one of the greatest players ever to represent his country. Law, who played alongside `Slim Jim' in the 3-2 win over then world champions England at Wembley, believes memories of the player will live forever. Law said: "It is a very sad loss for everybody. It is just a shame to see him go. He was one of the best players in a very good Scottish team at that time. He was a world-class player. He turned on the class in the 1967 game against England and was the best player on the park that day. To beat the world champions on their own ground was mainly down to Jim Baxter. Nobody will forget the way he was that day, jumping round the pitch. That particular game will always stand out. He was voted in the best-ever Scotland side recently and rightly so. When you play with world-class players it is easy. They know what you are going to do, a different class. He was just a wonderful player, a lovely passer of the ball, and it is very sad to lose the man. We have lost two great players from that side now with the death of Billy Bremner a few years ago. I saw Jim in Glasgow in December and had a chat with him. He was just the same chirpy self but I knew he wasn't well. Then we had the bad news that he had cancer. But it is still a shock."

Friday 13th April 2001

Up to 5 new face next season David Murray has announced up to five new players are on their way to Ibrox. Murray said: "In the past month an audit has been done on the entire club. I have gone from top to bottom and called many meetings, some of them lasting as long as 10 hours. This was necessary to identify all the problems and to come up with solutions. For a start we've got to get a bit of Scottishness back into this football club. I have looked at the facts and examined the faults in what has been the biggest examination of Rangers in the last decade but I felt it was required. You don't need to do so much when you are winning but we have lost our way a bit recently. We looked at our budget, players' situations and also the system Dick Advocaat wants the team to play. We are all clear now on what needs to be done and in terms of people coming in we are 80 per cent of the way there. I'd say we have identified four or five players within our budget and we are closing in on them. It is being done this way - it's true, we have been working on this since January - because we wanted to avoid a mad rush in the summer. For instance, there are two players currently playing in Europe who have been watched 10 times by us." One target is said to be Espanol's Romanian midfielder Constantin Galca. Any move is dependant on the out come to the Giovanni van Bronckhorst situation, but Advocaat has admitted the Galca is on his shortlist. Advocaat said: "We have a list of players we are interested in signing this summer and Galca is one of them. But it will depend on what happens with Giovanni as we won't need to sign another midfield player if he stays." Legend Baxter seriously ill It has emerged that Rangers legend Jim Baxter is in a "very serious" condition three months after being diagnosed with cancer. The Glasgow club said the Ibrox idol was at his home in the south-side of the city. A statement on the official Rangers website said: "The club would like to clarify that Mr Baxter is not in a coma although his condition is very serious." The man affectionately known as 'Slim Jim' was among the finest wing-halves in world football in the early 1960s when he won three league championships, three Scottish Cups and four League Cups. Murray sets player standards The facts of life so far as being a Rangers player is concerned have been spelled out loud and clear. David Murray said: "I have spoken to the entire squad through the players' representatives and they've been told what I expect from them from now on. I felt this should be pointed out because there are a lot of people who eat, breathe and sleep Rangers Football Club. Although my name happens to appear on the letterhead, I one of those people. We feel a lot of pain and I have had to to question whether some of the foreign players that come over here know what all of this means to the supporters of the club. Do these players understand fully what following Rangers means to the family in Stonehaven or Ayr who pull on their replica tops and then travel for hours in buses to support the team? I'm just not convinced enough of our players realise they are at more than a football club. "This is an institution and it means an awful lot to a large number of people who deserved much more than they got for their support this season. So, to the players I would say this: 'Please try to understand what this club is about and what it all means.' I am nowexpecting a higher number of them to go out to the supporters' clubs and to attend more functions. The players can have their big houses and enjoy their high wages, I'm not complaining about that. This club is willing to pay top salaries but the players must give more back and I am determined they will attend more supporters' functions. I do it and it must be easier for them than it is for me. But after my meeting with the players I believe they accept they must do more."

Thursday 12th April 2001

Players salute fans Claudio Reyna and Tore Andre Flo today praised the fans who helped take them towards a place in next seasons Champions League qualifiers. Over 7000 Gers supporters packed into Rugby Park last night for the 2-1 win over Kilmarnock. The crucial victory now leaves Dick Advocaat´s side nine points clear of Hibs in the race for second spot. And Rangers stars Claudio Reyna and Tore Andre Flo thanked the support for getting behind the team, despite losing the title to Old Firm rivals Celtic last weekend. And both players insisted that level of support will only spur the Ibrox dressing room on to make sure they pay their fans back next season. Reyna said: "Our fans were amazing last night. They filled both stands which really lifted us. It´s been hard for them this season and we all feel very sorry about the way things have gone. But they came out in huge numbers last night and never stopped supporting the team - that means a lot to the players. I´m sure the fans all realise just how important it is for us to reach the Champions League qualifiers, try to get into the group phase, and then give us all something to be excited about. We are obviously not happy to have lost the league, but it´s over now and we have to look forward. It´s been Celtic´s season, but we have to keep working hard - our fans deserve that after the way they have backed us, and that´s what´s on the players minds. We must make sure it doesn´t happen again next season. Last night was a tough game, as it always is against Kilmarnock, but we battled hard again and it´s another step towards our target of getting second place. We´ve had some great European nights, both the players and fans together, although I don´t think we´ve quite had the luck when we needed it to reach the second phase of the Champions League. But right now our aim is to make sure we get the chance to have another go next season." And goal hero Flo, who bagged a brace to take his season´s tally to 10, was equally impressed. The £12m Norwegian said: "The supporters were unbelievable, both for me and the team as a whole. They never stopped singing and getting behind us, and that is something we really appreciate. It proves what great fans Rangers have, and now we have to make sure we do better for them next season." Flo´s double eased the pressure on him after a month without a goal. And his manager, Dick Advocaat, admitted he was delighted with his hitman. He said: "I think Tore has said himself that he can do better. But he is a top striker and he scored two great goals last night, as well as playing very well in the game, in my opinion." Flo at the double Tore Andre Flo is the striker that Dick Advocaat believes can make the difference for Rangers in the Champions League. And the Norwegian last night all but ensured he´ll be given the chance to prove his boss right next season. Flo bagged a fine double in Rangers´ 2-1 win over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park. The victory takes the deposed champions nine points clear of third placed Hibs in the battle for this season´s invaluable runners-up spot. Advocaat claimed that Flo would have made a difference had he been on board in time for this season´s campaign. And the striker, who boasts a clutch of Champions League goals on his CV, should now get the chance to mix with the big guns again - although in the blue of Rangers this time rather than Chelsea. A huge weight seemed to lift off the £12 million man´s shoulders last night as he ended a month-long scoring drought. Flo will always be judged by different rules from everyone else given the nature of the price tag that dangles around his neck. But, when given a clear chance on goal, he is lethal as last night´s strikes proved. His all round game seemed to come together with the confidence of those goals behind him, and the big striker turned in a fine display. Flo has admitted he feels under major pressure at Ibrox, and has also been honest enough to admit he´s been well short of the level he can produce. But, given time, he will come good, and he must use these last five games of the season to try and bed himself into life at at the club and the hurly burly SPL. His goalscoring record now stands at 10 in 17 starts, which people would do well to remember is just four less than Chris Sutton, who arrived at Celtic four months before his former Chelsea team-mate. Flo admitted after his Rugby Park double: "I´m very pleased, and I certainly feel better than I did yesterday! It was great for me on a personal level to get two goals, and also for the team to win. We haven´t secured things just yet, but with a nine point lead over Hibs it´s looking good. I set high expectations for myself, as do other people, and I know I must keep working hard - I can do better. There have been some periods for me that have been very tough, and that has been difficult. But I´m sure I can reach the level I know, and you must always keep working away. It´s not been a great season for the club, but we must keep going, get this second place, and have the Champions League to look forward to next season as well as the challenges we face to get back on top in Scotland." Flo certainly didn´t mess about, with his first goal nestling in Colin Meldrum´s net before fans had time to adjust themselves into their seats. There were only 45 seconds on the clock when Flo latched onto a Barry Ferguson through ball, forced his way past a very weak tackle from Chris Innes, and drilled a low shot past Meldrum into the net. That settled Rangers, and they played some lovely football on a surface that was more like a set from Lawrence of Arabia given the amount of sand that was on view. However, referee Eric Martindale was intent on getting himself noticed and had already made some ridiculous decisions against both teams before the most baffling of all in the 15th minute. A deep free kick was pumped into the Gers box and a cluster of players all went for it. Rangers cleared their lines, but, to the amazement of everyone, including the Killie players who hadn´t even appealed, the whistler pointed to the spot. It was one of the worst decisions I´ve seen this season from a ref who is never far from the headlines whenever he takes charge of a match. If there is going to be several referees axed at the end of the season, as it has been hinted, then he must surely be high on the list. Barry Ferguson was booked for protesting, but the drama wasn´t to end there. Enter a certain Mr McCoist. On the very day the former Rangers star had insisted he wanted to write a final chapter in his glory-filled story by scoring against the club where he became a legend, the blank page was opened in front of him. A penalty kick with only Stefan Klos to beat, and the 38-year-old would have had his wish. But his kick wasn´t the best Ally´s ever taken, even though Klos deserved great credit for palming the shot onto the post - and his instinctive stop from Andy McLaren´s follow up shot. Rangers were in command of the game after that escape and played as good football as they have done for ages in spells. And on the stroke of half-time they went two in front, with Flo again finding the net for the second time. Claudio Reyna released the revitalised Fernando Ricksen and his cross was met at the back post by Flo, who slammed the ball home. Killie tried to get back into things after the break, but the game became quite dull, with Rangers happy to knock the ball about and hit on the break. That can prove a dangerous game at 2-0 when you fail to find a killer third goal, and the home side got one back with 15 minutes to go. Freddie Dindeleux clipped a neat pass into the path of Garry Hay, and he lashed his shot past Klos. There was a late flurry near the end, with Martindale again all over the place when he awarded Killie a corner before the ball had gone out of play - only to change his mind -- but Rangers held out for a deserved win. And Ibrox boss Dick Advocaat was a happy man with another decent display after Sunday night´s hard fought draw with Hibs in Edinburgh. Said the Dutchman: "I was quite pleased with both the result and the commitment. We played some excellent football at times on a difficult surface. It was two very tough away games in the space of four days for us - not many people win at Hibs and Kilmarnock, and we took four points which is good. You could see that the team benefited from having the same line-up two games in a row. We could have scored a few more goals at 2-0 to make it easier for ourselves, and when the other team gets one back with 15 minutes left it´s always a bit nervous because they get a lift. But I felt we fully deserved to win that match, and it´s now going to be hard for Hibs with the nine-point lead we have over them."

Wednesday 11th April 2001

Advocaat in dark over Gio Dick Advocaat has admitted that 'player power' could force his hand with midfielder Giovanni van Bronckhorst. The Dutch international has been widely tipped to move away from Glasgow in the summer - a year before the end of his contract - with Arsenal and Chelsea believed to be ready to make an offer. Advocaat reckons van Bronckhorst has already decided where his immediate future lies, but he insists that the club have not given up hope of persuading him to stay. Advocaat said: "I think he has already made up his mind, but what his mind is, that is still questionable. He still has one year to go on his contract but, these days, it is not a matter of what we want - the players are so powerful - so we will have to wait and see. We will talk to him at the end of the season." While van Bronckhorst looks set to depart Ibrox, Advocaat believes that another Dutchman could be ready to play a major part in Rangers' revival next season. Full-back Fernando Ricksen earned the man of the match award in the goalless draw at Hibernian on Sunday after being criticised throughout the season. But Advocaat insists that the former AZ Alkmaar defender can prove his worth in the near future. He said: "It was important for him that he could show what he can do. He made some good crosses especially in the second half He can still play better than last Sunday, but it was a good sign for him and the team as there was much more confidence than before." Advocaat also maintains that record signing Tore Andre Flo will also begin to show his £12million value. Advocaat said: "Last season we almost scored 100 goals, but we have struggled to score goals this season and we have to find a solution for that as well. I have heard from other great strikers like Mark Hateley that everybody was shouting at him in the early part of his career and he is a legend here. Everybody under-estimates this competition. Everybody thought the game against Hibs was boring, but it was a very demanding game.They don't give you the time and the space to play football and that is part of football as well. The same happened with van Bronckhorst when he started here, but after a while they get used to it." Advocaat is set to name the same team which drew at Easter Road for the game at Kilmarnock tomorrow, but van Bronckhorst, Ronald de Boer and Lorenzo Amoruso are all still missing. Meanwhile, Arthur Numan insists that the team will remain focused on second place in the table despite the disappointment of losing the title to Celtic at the weekend. Numan said: "It is not hard to motivate ourselves because the second spot is very important for a club like Rangers because it is a ticket to the Champions League. We all realise that we are six points ahead of Hibs with a game in hand against Kilmarnock. If we win at Kilmarnock, it will be nine points and it is always easier with that margin. But everybody is motivated and knows the importance of these games. It is our duty to finish the season well, playing good football and next year we will be back stronger than ever."

Tuesday 10th April 2001

de Boer set to return Ronald de Boer is set for a return to the first team in tomorrow's clash at Kilmarnock. The Dutchman has been out for three months with a knee injury, but says he will be fit for the midweek trip to Kilmarnock. De Boer has been restricted to 24 appearances since his £4.5million move from Barcelona but expects to be back at Rugby Park after just failing to be passed fit for the draw at Hibernian. He said: "This week is an important one for me. I had hoped to play against Hibs on Sunday but last week I hurt my Achilles tendon as a result of all the running I've been doing. I knew if I carried on it could make things worse but it feels mcuh better now after some rest. We have had a few problems with injuries but now there are a few players coming back so hopefully we can get going a bit more."

Monday 9th April 2001

League fixtures confirmed The SPL have announced the remaining 5 league fixtures. Rangers finish the season with games Sat April 21 - Dundee (A) 3pm, Sun April 29 - Celtic (H) 1pm, Sat May 5 - Hearts (A) 3pm, Sat May 12 - Kilmarnock (H) 3pm and Sun May 20 - Hibs (H) 3pm. The Old Firm clash is Live on SKY and 1 other game may be moved for TV coverage. Match Reaction Dick Advocaat left Easter Road on Sunday night satisfied with the goalless draw against Hibernian. The result means the Ibrox outfit are even more likely to finish in second place and ahead of the Edinburgh club, whose challenge is now petering out. And Advocaat even laughed off a cheeky dig at him by the Celtic players who celebrated their championship victory on the Parkhead pitch on Saturday. Advocaat smiled: "I have no excuses." That was confirmation that he had seen the T-shirts sporting those words which were worn by Martin O'Neill's players. The phrase has been interpreted as a dig at Advocaat's claim that the championship race would have been different had not so many Ibrox stars been injured. Although Billy Dodds missed a good chance and Arthur Numan saw a shot tipped onto the bar to keep the game scoreless, it had been a more solid performance by the visitors than in recent weeks. Advocaat continued: "I think I am very pleased with the commitment of the team, the way they played. I think that is the first time in a couple of weeks that we have not given a chance away. We had two or three chances. The only bad thing was that we couldn't score." Rangers travel to Kilmarnock on Wednesday night in the final league game before the SPL split. A win at Rugby Park will see Rangers' advantage over Hibs stretch to nine points with only 15 still up for grabs for either side in the chase for the second Champions League qualifying berth.

Sunday 8th April 2001

Team News Fernando Ricksenis available again after his five-match ban and Arthur Numan will start after recovering from injury. Craig Moore and Tony Vidmar are away on international with Australia. Barry Ferguson and Jorg Albertz are both doubtful for the trip to Easter Road Caniggia set for Ibrox Press reports this morning suggest that Dundee's Claudio Caniggia will sign for Rangers in the summer. It is believed the £1million plus deal has already been done.

Thursday 5th April 2001

Numan set for Hibs return Arthur Numan is set to return to action in this Sunday?s crucial Champions League eliminator against Hibs at Easter Road. The Dutchman hasn?t featured for the first team since the 1-0 Old Firm defeat against Celtic at the beginning of March. But he has at long last recovered from his niggling thigh injury and he told rangers.co.uk: "I'm fit and ready for Sunday's big game". Fabrice guarantees 3 points Fabrice Fernandes claimed last night he would secure his new side all three points against Hibs if he gets a starting berth. He scored a superb debut goal against Motherwell at Fir Park, and scored another for the Under-21s earlier in the week, and has used the media to let Dick Advocaat know he's ready to start a game at last. He said: "I may be small but I'm good. Like they say, good things come in small packages. I want to make my move to Ibrox permanent. All I need is the chance to prove I'm worth it. I guarantee Rangers three points on Sunday if I play. That is how confident I feel and I am certain I will score. But I need games." Rangers buy remaining Spirit shares Rangers have upped their interest in Aussie side Northern Spirit and bought the whole club outright. Rangers bought a 51 per cent stake in the NSL club last year but have now decided to add further financial weight to their Antipodean interest, which now means Northern Spirit have an increased chance of being among the reduced 12-team Australian league next season. Northern Spirit general manager Colin Mitchell said: "Rangers can now commit additional capital to Northern Spirit to improve it's financial strength. As the ranking process is primarily based on financial criteria this will significantly strengthen the club's position."

Tuesday 3rd April 2001

Murray admits Caniggia interest Rangers could be ready to make the first move in a bidding war with Celtic for Claudio Caniggia. Both sides of the Old Firm have been linked with the 33-year-old Argentinian, who has set Tayside alight signing for Dundee. But today, in the wake of reports from Caniggia´s agent that Celtic were interested in Diego Maradona´s former World Cup sidekick, Rangers chairman David Murray said he could open bidding and have the player at Ibrox for next season. Ibrox manager Dick Advocaat has a long list of players he feels could reboot his club´s challenge for domestic glory next season, and Caniggia´s name has been added. Murray confirmed this and added: "We showed some interest in Caniggia a month ago." That was around the time the player signed a new two-and-a-half-year contract with Dundee, and Dens Park chairman Peter Marr admitted that every player had his price, with Caniggia no exception. Ivano Bonetti, Dundee´s manager, has worked his way round questions on Caniggia´s future with some cleverly-worded responses, but Murray said: "We will be making changes in the summer and we could do something then. We will review the situation in the next few months."

Monday 2nd April 2001

Fans' chief hits out The secretary of the Rangers' supporters club has asked fans not to single out individual players for criticism following their treatment of Bert Konterman on Saturday. The Dutch defender was targeted by the Ibrox boo-boys, who held him responsible for both goals in their home defeat against Dundee United on Saturday. But the fans' chief, John McMillan, feels this is unnecessary as it can do untold damage to a player's confidence. He said: "No, they shouldn't have booed him, not in the way that they did. Supporters should not be booing individual players or the team. I can understand the frustration - there has been a lack of effort shown by some players this season, but that isn't going to solve it. We should be getting behind the club and the players and not condoning them because it is counter-productive otherwise. I think most of the supporters realised after a few minutes that the section who were booing him were wrong to do so and they started applauding him instead. He had a nightmare of a game - no-one can deny that - but booing him is not going to help his confidence." He added that it is futile to speculate on Konterman's future in Glasgow, as only one man can make that decision. He said: "It's up to Mr Advocaat. Everyone has different opinions, but he knows the player's background and whether the player will settle here.Only time will tell if he can be a success here. It would be foolish to say that the fans are happy, but booing him is not the way to go about it."