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Tuesday 30th April 2002

Young Gers take charge in title race Rangers' Under 18 team need 1 point from their last league game to clinch the Under 18 League championship, after beating Celtic 3-2 at Parkhead tonight. Rangers twice game from behind with goals from Tom Brighton and Chris Burke before Chris McLeod headed home what proved to be the winner in the 49th minute. 10 minutes later Charlie Adam was sent off but Rangers held on to secure all 3 points. Team:Smith, Hutton, S Smith, Dowie, McLeod, Fortunato, Burke (Coyle 82), Adam, Duffy (McLean 88), Walker, Brighton Unused:Nugent, Morrison, Martin Fergie is going nowhere Barry Ferguson will not be treating Saturday's Scottish Cup final as his last game north of the border. The Ibrox midfielder has been tipped to follow the lead of former team-mates Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Tugay and Claudio Reyna by heading for the Barclaycard Premiership. He has already been linked with moves to Leeds United, Liverpool and Arsenal this season and is widely regarded to be one of Rangers' most saleable assets, despite only being 24. But Ferguson - who was promoted to skipper last season when Lorenzo Amoruso was stripped of the captain's armband - reckons he has no reason to leave Ibrox. He claims he will still be a Rangers player next season, unless chairman David Murray opts to cash in on him before then. He said: "Nothing is happening. I'm a Rangers player and I should be back at Rangers for pre-season next year. I'm at one of the biggest clubs in Europe, and I'm the captain at one of the biggest clubs in Europe, so there is no reason for me to move - unless I'm told otherwise. If you ask any player, the Premiership is the best league about, but I'm a Rangers player and until I'm told otherwise I'll be back here next season."

Monday 29th April 2002

Amo named Players' Player of the Year Lorenzo Amoruso has been voted Players' Player of the Year in Scotland. The stylish Italian, second behind Celtic's Paul Lambert in last week's journalists' Footballer of the Year vote, was given the award late on Sunday. Aberdeen's Kevin McNaughton, recently given his first Scotland cap, was voted the Young Player of the Year.

Sunday 28th April 2002

Moore: "I need more games" Craig Moore admits he is in danger of missing out on the Tennent's Scottish Cup final - despite making his return from injury against Aberdeen. Moore came through 90 minutes of a victory against the Dons in the penultimate league game of the season after spending three months on the sidelines with a hamstring strain. Although he felt no reaction to the injury during the game at Ibrox, he admits his overall fitness could let him down ahead of Saturday's Hampden Park showdown against Celtic. He said: "Everything's fine but it's the fitness after being out for three months - it's a long time to be out and then come back in. Whether or not I'll be fit, there's still a bit of a question mark over that to be honest. We'll have to reassess it again on Monday and see how things are and how I feel and what the gaffer thinks as well." Although Moore believes he must still be considered a slight doubt to take part, he reckons coming through the game against Aberdeen has at least given him a fighting chance of being selected. He added: "I felt reasonably comfortable but it was one of those difficult end-of-season game games really although the good thing to come out of is that I feel fine. It was the first game in three months and it was just hard to get going again. With the cup final coming up, if I hadn't played today I wouldn't have had a chance so it was important to get a run out and to see how I felt before next week. I think the most important thing this time round was to get the injury corrected. And, if this season was going to pass me by, just to be sure that I was ending the season in good shape and to get a good pre-season under my belt. I need to get back to playing 30, 40 games a season. It's been a couple of seasons since I've done that and it's definitely something I need to get back to doing."

Friday 26th April 2002

Fergie back for Dons Rangers will have an almost full-strength side to face Aberdeen following the return of four first-team regulars. Skipper Barry Ferguson (ribs/wrist), Craig Moore (hamstring), Ronald de Boer (toe) and Claudio Caniggia (thigh) could all feature. Striker Shota Arveladze has been sidelined with an ankle injury and he faces a late test ahead of the game at Ibrox.Ferguson said: "I've been in full training for a while now and hopefully I'll play on Saturday, it's now up to the gaffer. I'm fit enough to play from the start if selected. I still get a slight bit of pain now and again but nowhere near as bad as three or four weeks ago and I certainly don't need injections any more. I take a couple of tablets if I need them."

Sunday 21st April 2002

Post Game Comments Old Firm skippers Tommy Boyd and Arthur Numan played down the melee which marred the end of today's 1-1 draw at Parkhead. Three players were sent off as a result of the fracas - Celtic's John Hartson and Johan Mjallby as well as Rangers' Fernando Ricksen - in the Rangers penalty area. Alan Thompson cancelled out Peter Lovenkrands' early opener for the visitors as champions Celtic dropped their first home points of the season. The angry goalmouth bust-up at the end cast a shadow over the match but Boyd and Numan felt the sending offs were not warranted. Celtic skipper Boyd told Sky Sports: "It looked like handbags and stuff, pushing and shoving. I did not think there were three cards in it. I would have to look at it again." Rangers captain Numan added: "There were a lot of players in the box and I think it was very difficult for the referee to see what's going on." Numan, though, felt his side should have built on their early advantage to inflict Celtic's first home defeat of the season. He said: "We are not happy with a point. We had a good start and goal, and I think if we had scored a second and a third, then the game is over. I think in the first half we were the better team, but Celtic controlled it after that - but the first half hour we should have killed the game. It's important when you play Celtic to get a result. The next game is a cup final and everyone is looking forward to it and hopefully we can lift the trophy."

Friday 19th April 2002

Caniggia added to doubtful list Claudio Caniggia is struggling to be fit for the Old Firm derby on Sunday. The Argentinian international missed the 1-0 win over Germany with a thigh muscle injury. The loss of Caniggia would be another blow for Ibrox manager Alex McLeish ahead of the game at Parkhead. Light Blues captain Barry Ferguson already has a rib injury while Ronald de Boer, Bert Konterman and Stephen Hughes are also sidelined. Australia international Tony Vidmar has a hamstring problem and is struggling to be fit for the game.

Tuesday 16th April 2002

10 to resign from SPL The 10 other Scottish Premier League clubs have revealed their intention to resign from the current league set-up following the two seasons' notice they are required to give. Hearts chief executive Chris Robinson - speaking on behalf of 'the 10' - made their decision known at a meeting at Hampden Park which was originally held to thrash out rights over terrestrial television and radio coverage of games next season. That would mean only the Old Firm would remain as part of the current format but Celtic chief executive Ian McLeod is confident a solution can be found. He said: "To be in a position in two years' time where Rangers and Celtic have no league to play in I think is an unthinkable proposition and will not happen. There will be some form of agreement reached in terms of league structuring. But let's be clear here, Rangers and Celtic are still part of the SPL, it's the other 10 clubs which have elected not to participate. Perhaps that's encouraging for the other clubs below them within the league structure." The 10 clubs have thrown Rangers and Celtic a lifeline by offering them the opportunity to join the breakaway league upon its conception in season 2004/05. Rangers vice-chairman John McClelland admits the situation is "reasonably serious" but claims there is plenty of time to explore all avenues and reach a solution before the two-year notice period is up. McClelland said: "We are definitely not panicking. It is a reasonably serious issue but we have a long time to discuss and negotiate and get it resolved. I would expect that we'll continue positively and constructively in the SPL for the next two years and, beyond that point, there will be the strong essence of Rangers and Celtic in Scottish football. It leaves us between now and two years from now to reach some sort of resolution and that clearly from our point of view would include Rangers and Celtic, it could include the 10, it could include others. I think it's far too early to formulate but there is plenty of time to do that. The next step is that we'll talk together and we'll also talk to the other agencies involved in Scottish football - the SFA, the SFL and we'll continue dialogue through the SPL and with the other 10." Rangers and Celtic both vetoed plans for an SPL TV channel last week, prompting claims they both had a 'hidden agenda'. But McLeod claims only the 10 clubs outside the Old Firm had the hidden agenda and their actions have thrown the future of Scottish football into uncertainty. He added: "There has been a lot said about hidden agendas but I think the hidden agenda was revealed today. It would appear quite clear that there was a high degree of unanimity very quickly around the table that this was the action to be taken. Clearly there is a collapse in terms of the media market and that's no-one's fault, it's just the way that economics have driven it. There was a deal on the table for an SPL channel last week and we believe the business risk attached to it was too severe so we voted against it on that basis. We came here in good faith today to look forward to a constructive dialogue on how we might take Scottish football forward and improve the viability of it through the media deals that were on the table. Against that backdrop to throw uncertainty around Scottish football again as a result of that action is very surprising." McClelland agreed positive steps regarding television coverage had been taken and that he, too, was surprised by the '10's' decision to quit the league. He said: "We were surprised. The meeting had gone very, very well until that point with very constructive dialogue about the TV channel and about some of the alternatives to ensure there is live TV from Scottish football next season. Some of the reservations and concerns about the financial risks associated with any proposal had been reduced to some extent by new information that was put on the table. Given that, we were surprised that the 10, or Chris Robinson on behalf of the 10, intimated their intention to resign from the SPL at the end of the season. I think they have done it this time because they are concerned at the structure of the voting rights and the media distribution and I think their concern is mostly about that and not about the TV channel deal that didn't quite materialise."

Saturday 13th April 2002

de Boer, Fergie and Hughes miss Livi trip Rangers have been dealt a double injury blow with news that Ronald de Boer suffered a broken toe against Hearts last week and midfielder Stephen Hughes is sidelined by knee ligament damage sustained in a reserve game. The latter's absence is also bad news for Scotland manager Berti Vogts as it means he will miss Wednesday's friendly with Nigeria. Rangers' captain Barry Ferguson is also still out with a rib problem and misses Rangers' match with Livingston on Saturday plus the Nigeria game. However Rangers' manager Alex McLeish welcomes back Tore Andre Flo and Arthur Numan, although Shota Arveladze, Craig Moore and Bert Konterman are still not ready for action.

Thursday 11th April 2002

Young Gers win Cup Rangers lifted the SFA Youth Cup tonight, defeating Ayr United 4-2 in an exciting final at Ballast Stadium, Hamilton. With both sides all out to attack, the first half saw numerous chances before Chris Burke opened the scoring for Rangers with a superb solo effort, running from halfway. However, Ayr's Scott Chaplain equalised with a lob just before half time. The second half opened with a flurry of goals, with Charles Adam netting twice to put Rangers 3-1 up before Aaron Black narrowed the gap. Rangers clinched victory in 70 minutes when Chris Burke shot home after Tom Brighton did all the hard work down the right wing. Coach John Brown said: "I thought the final was a great advert for our youth game, and all credit to Ayr who caused us some real problems up front. They had chances to take the game early on. I felt at half-time the boys needed a bit of a rollicking and it certainly seemed to do the trick as we played some really good football after the break. I'm delighted for the lads as they are a hard-working bunch - that's their 37th game since pre-season, with only three defeats. It sums up the quality. Now it is all to play for in the league and there will be no let-up. However the boys fully deserve to savour the moment." Old Firm staying put David Murray today insisted the Old Firm's joint decision to pull the plug on SPL TV was not a first step to jumping ship for England. The Old Firm are at loggerheads with the 10 other SPL clubs over the collapse of the proposed new television station. Their united stance has left the top flight without a TV deal for next season and brought demands from the SPL to "come clean" after scuppering the deal. The 10 see that decision as a step towards the Old Firm's real goal of getting out of Scottish football. But Murray insisted: "I would like to make it clear Rangers fully intend to be part of the SPL next season and will be ready to take part from the very first fixture. There appears to be a lot of posturing and mis-information which is clouding the issue. Some clubs have put two and two together and come up with 80, but media rights have dropped dramatically in value and we have to face reality." Murray added: "Both Celtic and ourselves are fully committed to the Premier League. We had a democratic right to vote against the television proposals, but that doesn't mean we dislike everything. Unless other clubs try to manipulate the situation to keep us out of the league, it will be business as usual. There is no plan X, no master plan, no-one's going to run away to another league, and there's no deal with Sky."

Tuesday 9th April 2002

Young Gers in Cup Final tomorrow Rangers Youth team are in action tomorrow night in the SFA Youth Cup against Ayr Utd. The game is being played at Hamilton Academical's Ballast Stadium (for directions see here) with a 7.30pm kickoff. Pay at the gate with prices being £5 for adults and £2 for youths.

Monday 8th April 2002

SPL TV sunk The Scottish Premier League's plan to launch their own television channel has collapsed after Celtic and Rangers refused to back it. The Old Firm rivals had initially supported the plan to set up a new channel but abstained in Monday's vote on the issue, which had required an 11-1 majority to be approved. Both clubs issued statements on Monday saying that they had withdrawn because of an "incompleteness of information available" and "the high level of business risk attached to the project". The two Glasgow clubs, whose incomes dwarf those of their premier league rivals, also denied that they had been in negotiations with Sky Television over the setting up of an Old Firm channel. Scottish premier league games are currently screened by Sky but that deal expires at the end of the current season. Rangers' statement can be read here

Saturday 6th April 2002

Team News Rangers look set to welcome back playmaker Ronald de Boer from injury for the first time since February. The Dutchman limped out of the UEFA Cup defeat at Feyenoord with a calf and foot injury combination and has not featured since. But Barry Ferguson (broken rib) and Bert Konterman (broken toe) are still out and Shota Arveladze (ankle) is not 100% fit. Tore Andre Flo and Arthur Numan picked up knocks on international duty and are rated doubtful for the visit of Hearts, while Fernando Ricksen is suspended.

Wednesday 3rd April 2002

Moore not rushing back defender Craig Moore has revealed he is in no rush to get fit in time for the Scottish Cup final. The reason is that he did precisely that two years ago - and ended up on the sidelines for almost a season. Moore has been missing since tearing a hamstring in the CIS Insurance Cup semi-final victory over Celtic on February 5. The Old Firm giants meet again in the Scottish Cup final on May 4 but the Australia international may have to watch from the stands. Moore, whose 12-centimetre tear is healing, had hurried back from injury to play in the 2000 Scottish Cup final. He had not featured for two months after injuring a knee in a league game but wanted to play to fill a gap in his medal collection. Rangers thrashed Aberdeen 4-0 but the medal was gained at personal cost to Moore, who played just one game in the next 10 months. He told Rangers News: "If I'm fit I would love to be there, of course I would. As long as I'm fit I will push as hard as I can. But if not, I won't take any chances. I'm not going to rush it because I don't want to break down again. I want to make sure the hamstring is strong so there is going to be further progress when I do come back." Gers interested in Eto'o Alex McLeish has admitted Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o is a target for the club - but insisted the Real Mallorca man is not "the number one target". Eto'o was watched by McLeish's assistant Andy Watson during the Africans' friendly against Argentina last week and impressed the Glasgow club. McLeish told the club's official website, rangers.co.uk: "Samuel Eto'o is a player I like but there are a lot of players out there that I like. He is not the number one target. We have done our homework on a number of players and every time we go and see someone it does not necessarily follow that we will be going for him. There were a number of excellent players on show in the Cameroon-Argentina game which Andy watched - including Marc-Vivien Foe, who is a midfield player. There are a lot of players out there who we would love to bring to Rangers but we will do it when the time is right. What I would say is that if we were clear to go out and splash out on the transfer market it is not certain that we would got for Eto'o.There will always be speculation, but we will make announcements when we have completed deals." Eto'o's agent Willie Mackay had earlier said: "Andy Watson was raving about Eto'o after the match against Argentina and said he was the best player in the team. I have since spoken to Alex McLeish and he has told me he is very interested in getting something done."