April 1999

Friday 30th April 1999

Sunday's Old Firm title crunch match will be watched or listened to by more people than ever before - courtesy of the world-wide web. The full game is being shown in Scotland live on Sky Sports. And as well as being beamed live on television to Denmark, Poland, Israel and North America, full live coverage, courtesy of BBC Radio Five Live, will be available on the SPL's Web Site, www.scotprem.com. A delayed transmission of the full game will also be seen in Australia, Holland, Germany, France and Spain. More than 100 other territories will see edited highlights. "It is quite simply mind boggling to think of the scale of the audience for this match," said Bank of Scotland Scottish Premier League Marketing Director Paul Blanchard. "We are certainly talking about viewing and listening figures in the tens of millions. "It must go into the record books as Scotland's biggest ever audience for a sporting occasion." The game, at Celtic Park on Sunday night, will also attract the UK's biggest crowd of the weekend with more than 60,000 spectators in attendance. -taken from the SPL website www.scotprem.com

Wednesday 28th April 1999

Gabriel Amato has denied recent reports that he is ready to leave Ibrox at the end of this season. The fans favourite has confirmed that he would love to stay on with Rangers. Speaking in the Rangers News, Amato said: "I don't want to leave, I have spoken to Dick Advocaat. I am 28 now and it is hard to change my style. I love football and only want to play. I don't want to leave because I love it here, I love the fans and the club, but I only want to play, I don't want to sit on the bench."Amato admitted he was pleased with his performance against Aberdeen and the reaction of the fans, commenting: "I couldn't believe the reaction I got when I was taken off, the standing ovation from the fans was out of this world."

Tuesday 27th April 1999

This Sunday's Old Firm clash will be watched by Rangers crocked stars from the safety of the Rangers fans area, and not the main stand at Parkhead. In the past, many Rangers players not playing in the match have been abused by the Celtic support, and the club insist that cannot happen this time around, especially as a potentially explosive atmosphere could be created as Rangers try to clinch the championship on their oldest rivals ground for the first time ever. There will be no live beam-back to Ibrox as Sky TV don't allow that for their Sunday night matches. Chief scout Ewan Chester has watched Tranmere's Rep of Ireland Under-21 star Alan Mahon on a couple of occasions recently with a view to a possible summer signing.

Monday 26th April 1999

The SPL have confirmed that in the event of Rangers winning the league at Parkhead next Sunday there will be no trophy presentation. Lorenzo Amoruso is looking forward to what he hopes is his finest hour and a half as the Rangers skipper: "The game against Celtic is certainly our most important of the season and one we must try and win. "The game next Sunday is very important also for the fans, who are desperate for us to win the title." "It would be nice to sew up the title before the end of the season because it would then leave us free to focus on the Cup final". Neil McCann is out of Scotland's squad for Wednesday's game against Germany in Bremen after injuring his toe in Rangers game against Aberdeen on Sunday. McCann's toe was x-rayed last night and a crack was found. The situation will be assessed this week and it is hoped McCann will be back in action for Sunday's crunch match against Celtic.

Sunday 25th April 1999

Youngster Barry Nicholson and French striker Stephane Guivarc'h have been brought into the squad for tonight's game and will probably replace injured players Jorg Albertz and Tony Vidmar in the game against Aberdeen. Vidmar will miss out thanks to a foot injury sustained at last week's game. The Ozzie player, who scored in Rangers 1-1 draw against Dundee, required stitches in his foot after a stud went right through his boot. Albertz is also suffering from a foot injury but Dick Advocaat has confirmed that both players will be fit for next weekend's crunch match against Celtic.

Friday 23rd April 1999

The traditional Old Firm New Year clash, usually held on January 1st, has now been moved to Boxing Day. The SPL have made the change to extend the winter break to four weeks, as opposed to the two week break that teams enjoyed this year. The break will begin after Christmas and last until 22nd January. This break will give the players the chance to rest and recover from any injuries they may have sustained in the first half of the season. The SPL have still to decide whether other derby matches will also be held on December 26th. The SPL is changing its substitute rules. Next season there will be no requirement to have two under-21 players on the bench, although two must be included in the 16-strong squad. Now the requirement is two youths in the squad and the following season that will be increased to three in squads of 18 as, by then, the SPL will also have extended the number of substitutes allowed on the bench to seven. Dundee star Dariusz Adamczuk is set to make a dramatic U-turn by snubbing Rangers and signing for Celtic. Rangers had offered the 30-year-old more than £6,000 a week and taken out an insurance policy against him being injured between now and the end of his contract in June, when he would be free to move on for nothing. Celtic swooped on Thursday, though, to strike an instant £75,000 transfer deal with Dundee and offer Adamczuk an even better deal than what was on offer at Ibrox. Adamczuk confirmed that he was wanted by both sides of the Old Firm but refused to talk about his future until everything had been signed. The player is expected to meet the Celtic management team on Friday to finalise the deal.

Tuesday 20th April 1999

Kick-off times for the last day of the season have been brought forward after discussions between the SPL, BSkyB, the police and supporters groups. The games now start at 12.30pm on Sunday 23rd May rather than 6.05pm. Giovanni Van Bronckhorst has been included in the Dutch squad for their friendly with Morocco on April 28th. Future Rangers striker Michael Mols is also in the squad. Rangers could be set to launch a shock bid to snatch Rino Gattuso back from Salernitana - then sell him off again for £6million. Reports in Italy this morning claim the Ibrox club want FIFA to declare the midfield player's move null and void because the cash-strapped Serie A club have defaulted on their transfer payments. Gattuso switched to Salernitana in October in a £2.8m deal and has enjoyed rave reviews since returning to his homeland. AC Milan and Fiorentina, two teams currently chasing the championship, have declared their interest in the industrious Italian. They are said to be set to table £6m offers for Gattuso when the season ends. But now it has been reported in Italy's leading sports paper Gazetta Della Sport that Rangers are attempting to hijack any possible transfer and double their profit on the player.

Monday 19th April 1999

Barry Ferguson has received a cheerful boost as he recovers from his pelvic injury. The Rangers midfielder has been named Scottish Premier League Young Player of the Year by his fellow professionals.

Thursday 15th April 1999

Midfielder Jonas Thern will leave the club in the summer and is expected to retire from the game because of a severe knee injury. The 32-year-old Swedish international will return home, having not played a match in the current campaign. He broke down during a reserve game last week. He told the Swedish newspaper Expressen: "It feels bitter that I have to stop because of a severe knee injury," "I've had 10 years at big clubs." "I'm not closing the door completely, but the chances (of me playing again) are not big." Thern joined Rangers from Roma in 1997 and won 75 international caps. Rangers' last home game of the season against Kilmarnock has been switched to Sunday, May 23. All Scottish Premier League games for that weekend will be played on the Sunday and will kick-off at 6.05pm, though it is not yet known which game will be live on Sky TV.

Tuesday 13th April 1999

Gabriel Amato has asked Spanish giants Valencia to end his time in Scotland. The Argentine striker last night took a bitter swipe at Scottish football and insisted he was desperate to return to Spain. Amato has been a flop since his £4.2m move from Real Mallorca last summer and the impending arrival of Holland striker Michael Mols is certain to speed his departure. Amato is keen to link up once more with his old mentor and he said: "I'm clear in my mind that I would like to return to Spain, especially if I win the title with Rangers. Scottish football bears no comparison with the Spanish game and I prefer the customs in Spain, they suit me better." Craig Moore will be out for three to four weeks after suffering a knee injury. The Australian defender, who has only just returned to Ibrox after five months at Crystal Palace, hurt himself in training. Lionel Charbonnier has restarted training after being out since November with a knee ligament injury. The French goalkeeper may be able to return to action before the end of the season, although he doesn't want to rush it. He said: "There is no point in rushing back too quickly, but my rehabilitation work is going well and I'm feeling good." Claudio Reyna flew into Glasgow yesterday to start his Rangers career and hopes to be on the bench for tomorrow's gamewith Dunfermline. Reyna and Craig Moore will both be unavailable for the Scottish Cup final as they were signed too late.

Monday 12th April 1999

The scramble for tickets to Hampden Park began today after the Old Firm clinched their places in the Tennents Scottish Cup final on May 29. And about 50,000 Rangers and Celtic supporters will be disappointed as the Scottish Football Association know they will not be able to cope with demand. The newly refurbished national stadium has a 52,000 capacity. However it is expected either club will be allocated about 20,000 tickets each, leaving the majority of their supporters watching the game on TV or listening to the radio. Rangers have already opened negotiations with the SFA about the matter, just hours after securing their place in the final. Secretary-director Campbell Ogilvie said: "We want to secure the maximum allocation of tickets possible for this match." Rangers showed a Dutch of class to set up a Tennents Scottish Cup final showdown with Old Firm rivals Celtic on May 29 at Hampden Park. Former Feyenoord star Giovanni van Bronckhorst stamped his authority on this semi-final clash with an assured performance. He scored his first goal in six matches to keep Rangers on course for the treble with a comprehensive victory to make it five wins out of six over Saints this season. Van Bronckhorst said: "We are right on course - we are in the final and six points clear in the League and we have got our spirit back today. We lost our concentration last week but today we concentrated from the start and it was a good team effort. My free-kick was one we had practised. Everyone expected Jorg Albertz to shoot but he touched it to me and I shot and, with a slight deflection, it went in. We did well today, especially in the first half - we showed we wanted to win the game and were aggressive. Of course I am delighted personally that we have gone through but the team played especially well. We've not had the best results recently but everyone has been training hard and hopefully today will see the start of a good run. When you lose two games in a row like we have you have to show your character on the pitch and that's what we did."

Friday 9th April 1999

Chairman David Murray will discuss an extension to manager Dick Advocaat's contract in the summer. The Dutchman signed a two-year deal last year and he has already said he is not interested in leaving Ibrox. "Dick and I are tired of the rumours," said Murray. "We will sit down at the end of the season and discuss where we go from here. Dick is trying to build a team for the future and he is working on what is very much a long-term plan." Rangers Doctor Professor Stewart Hillis will step down from his position at the end of this season. Hillis, feels the Club needs a full-time doctor and is only able to do the job on a part-time basis. Professor Hillis will return to work on a full-time basis at the Hospital and University. However, he will continue to be associated with the Club on a consultancy basis.

Thursday 8th April 1999

Rangers match with Dundee scheduled for April 18 has been switched from Dens Park across the street to Dundee Utd's home Tannadice. The venue has been changed because renovation works are commencing at Dens Park, kick-off is 6.05pm.

Tuesday 6th April 1999

Scottish Premier League officials are considering moving the kick-off times of their live TV games to midday on Saturdays. This season's slot of 6.05pm on Sunday evenings has been criticised by both players and fans. Rangers are currently on a run of six consecutive Sunday matches and the SPL have spoken to Sky about their worries. SPL chief executive Roger Mitchell said: "We have been looking at alternatives but the noon match has good and bad points." Colin Hendry played 76 minutes of today's Under-21 League game against Dundee and hopes to make his first team comeback at Sunday's Scottish Cup Semi-Final.

Monday 5th April 1999

Coach Dick Advocaat laid the blame on last night's defeat by St Johnstone at the feet of his defenders.But he's still confident the league will be won. But two slips in two games has done nothing for the support. "They had four chances and scored three goals," he said afterwards. "Everyone knew who they were supposed to take at the free-kick which led to their first goal and the second was even worse.Sometimes I have a feeling that my defenders want to do things in a nice way that looks good. I'm not interested in what looks nice, I want the ball away from the goal. Our defensive work was very poor and that shouldn't happen at this level." Both David Murray and Dick Advocaat have denied yesterday's press reports that the club are to sign Turkish striker Hakan Sukur.

Sunday 4th April 1999

Craig Moore is expected to make his first appearance in six months for Rangers against St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park on Sunday. The Australian central defender made a shock return to Ibrox this week after joining Crystal Palace earlier in the season. And with Colin Hendry still sidelined with a groin injury, Moore looks certain to face the Perth club. Neil McCann is doubtful after taking a knock during the Scotland game in mid-week. Rangers have pieced together a £20 million deal to lure Turkish star Hakan Sukur to Ibrox this summer. The move for Galatasaray's ace striker would smash the Scottish transfer record. And Sukur would pocket an incredible £8million over four years from the deal. The switch is already agreed in principle and will send the Galatasaray fans into mourning. Sukur is idolised at the club where his progress was guided by former boss Graeme Souness. The 28-year-old hitman was gutted when a move to Juventus collapsed earlier this season because he would have been ineligible for the Champions' League. Now he seems certain to form a partnership with Dutch front man Michael Mols as Gers go full tilt for Euro glory next season. Sukur confessed: "For now I want to concentrate on Galatasaray but yes, I will be talking to Rangers about a move this summer. The club deserve my focus until the end of the season and I want to make my third Champions' League in a row."

Saturday 3rd April 1999

A hectic international schedule will keep new Rangers signing Claudio Reyna out of numerous games for the Ibrox club next season. Reyna will miss the Champions League qualifiers on July 21 and 28 as he is certain to be called up for the FIFA Confederations Cup and will also miss the first league game on July 31. He will already have had his pre-season affected by a friendly with Iran in Washington on June 13 and, later in the season, he will be on his travels again. The USA are hosting the Gold Cup, CONCACAF's equivalent of the European Championships, over two to three weeks in February and is also likely to be called up for the US Cup just a couple of weeks later. Daniel Prodan has won his fight against injury and expects to begin his Ibrox first-team career next season. The Romanian international received assurances on his ability to return to serious action on a visit to Belgium this week. Prodan had a consultation with top knee specialist Dr Marc Martens in Antwerp on Wednesday. His assistant said: "The verdict was excellent for him," "His knee is fine and he was delighted to learn that he is clear to play again soon."

Friday 2nd April 1999

Claudio Reyna has revealed he turned his back on a number of top clubs to continue his career in Scotland with Rangers. The 25-year-old American midfielder has signed a four-year deal at Ibrox after his £1.2million move from VFL Wolfsburg. "Most of the speculation had me going to 1860 Munich, Monaco and some others," he said. "But there was nothing concrete in the last week or so, and this chance developed. I'm very excited about it. I definitely wanted to go but it was a matter of beating the transfer deadline, which was the close of the business on Wednesday in Scotland. "It rains a lot in Scotland but we're used to that. Glasgow is a beautiful city. It's great for us. Aside from the United States this is as close as you can get." Reyna is unlikely to play against St Johnstone on Sunday, however, as his wife Danielle is pregnant with their first child. A regular in the USA squad, Reyna last year joined Wolfsburg on loan from Bayer Leverkusen, who will pick up a large chunk of the transfer fee. He says he has already spoken to Rangers manager Dick Advocaat about his role at the club. "Rangers play a 4-4-2 and the coach is talking about using me in my specialised position in midfield," he said. Rangers have announced a 10.5% increase in turnover to almost £21million but a trading loss of just over £3million. Chairman David Murray said: "Since the start of the financial year the club has made an investment in excess of £34million to recruit new players. "The additional cost of these new players together with the costs associated with the UEFA Cup has increased net operating expenses from last year by £2,9333,000, resulting in a trading loss of £3,090,000. "After accounting for player registrations, interest and tax, the retained loss for the period is £6,294,000, an improvement on last year of £1,328,000." Murray added: "The current cost arising from rebuilding the team under Dick Advocaat has been necessary to give the club the realistic prospect of competing at the highest level. "We believe that the cost of this investment for the future will provide the necessary returns both off and on the pitch."

Thursday 1st April 1999

Craig Moore completed his return to Rangers in time for a possible second debut for the club at Perth on Sunday night. The Australian defender's move north from Crystal Palace was rushed through before the signing deadline. Coach Dick Advocaat had hoped to clinch a second new signing to bolster his depleted midfield for the run-in but, despite his frantic late efforts, the Dutchman has added only Moore to his title-chasing squad. The Ibrox club had to seek special permission from the SPL to re-sign a player who had only left the club five months ago to join the cash-strapped Londoners. An SPL spokesman said: "Rangers asked for special permission to sign the player because the Scottish League rules state you cannot be re-signed within a year of leaving. We did not have a problem with that and the paperwork has now gone through." Rangers have agreed a deal to sign American international midfielder Claudio Reyna from German side Wolfsburg, according to the Bundesliga club. Wolfsburg commercial manager Peter Pander would not disclose the fee but Reyna's former club Bayer Leverkusen will get a percentage of the money. Reyna, an attacking midfielder who played in both USA 94 and France 98, left Leverkusen in 1997 to join Wolfsburg, where he was captain at the start of the season. Reyna had lost his place in the Wolfburg starting line-up earlier in the season but has come back strongly in recent weeks. The 25-year-old midfielder, who cost around £2million, said: ``It's the offer of my life.''