AUGUST 1998

Thursday 27th August 1998

Rangers could face a Battle of Britain Mk2 after being drawn in the same pool as Leeds Utd for the 1st Round of the UEFA Cup. Bordeaux and Atletico Madrid are the seeds in the group which also contains Rapid Vienna, Maratimo, FK Obilic and Beitar Jerusalam. The draw takes place tomorrow at lunchtime.

Monday 24th August 1998

Berti Vogts has named Jorg Albertz in the German squad to face Malta and Romania in friendlies on the 02/09/98 and 05/09/98. Former Ranger keeper Andy Goram has been linked with a move to Man City. Want away striker Marco Negri is rumoured to be the man Aston Villa want to replace Dwight Yorke. Villa received £12.6 million from Man Utd for Yorke and need a partner for Stan Collymore upfront. Rangers suffered a 8 hour delay before leaving for Greece yesterday. Dick Advocaat had wanted 2 full days in Greece before Tuesday's night clask with PAOK.

Saturday 15th August - Saturday 22nd August 1998

Coach Dick Advocaat has an almost full squad to pick from for tomorrow's trip to Rugby Park. Jonas Thern and Gordon Durie are the only unfit players, with Thern about to undergo a minor operation to cure a troublesome knee. (20/08/98)League Cup 4th Round Draw Ayr Utd v Rangers Hearts v Ross County Kilmarnock v Airdrie St Johnstone v Hibs (18/08/98) - Rangers advanced to the 4th Round of the League Cup with a 4-0 over Alloa Athletic. The goals from Lorenzo Amoruso, Barry Ferguson and a Jorg Albertz double. Andrei Kanchelskis, Antti Niemi and Jonatan Johansson were unavailable for tonight's game due to international friendlies. Team: Charbonnier - Porrini, Amoruso, Hendry (Moore 8), Numan - B. Ferguson, Gattuso, Van Bronckhorst, Albertz - Amato, Wallace (Miller 62), Unused: I. Ferguson (15/08/98) - Rangers got their first win of the season today as they beat Motherwell 2-1 at Ibrox today. Rod Wallace opened the scoring in 14 minutes with Owen Coyle replying for Motherwell before a Jorg Albertz penalty in the last minute gave Rangers the win. Team: Charbonnier - Porrini, Amoruso, Hendry, Numan - Kanchelskis, I. Ferguson (Johansson 63), van Bronckhorst, Albertz - Amato (Graham 84), Wallace Unused: Gattuso, Moore, Niemi Booked: I. Ferguson

Friday 14th August 1998

Colin Hendry is expected to make his Rangers debut tomorrow in the league clash with Motherwell at Ibrox. Hendry should replace Craig Moore in the centre of defence. Jorg Albertz should return to the starting lineup in place of the suspended Barry Ferguson, while Gabriel Amato is in line for his first start following Gordon Durie's injury. Gordon Durie has not broken his ankle, but will be out for 2-3 months after tests revealed that he had suffered ankle ligament damage in the game with PAOK.

Thursday 13th August 1998

Andrei Kanchelskis has rubbished long-running rumours that he has links with the Russian mafia. He said: "I don't know anything about the Russian mafia. "The stories about me are unpleasant but I cannot say I am shocked because I have come across this kind of thing before. "I have never paid protection money to anyone and have no connection with any individuals involved in such schemes. "I have also never gambled to any serious extent nor incurred gambling debts, nor have I been contacted by the police about such matters"

Wednesday 12th August 1998

Gordon Durie will know by the end of this week whether his damaged ankle is broken. Swelling around the ankle means that tests today were again inconclusive regarding the full extent of the problem which could yet force him out for more than two months. A Rangers spokesman said today: "He has been to see a specialist, and his left ankle is in plaster. "On Friday Gordon will return for further tests when it will be established whether there is a break which is not known yet." Rangers manager Dick Advocaat called the tackle a "bad one" and fears Durie will "be out for a long time".

Sunday 9th August 1998

Colin Hendry will play his first season for Rangers wearing the shirt number 35. Dick Advocaat commented: "It's for his age! Seriously, we declared our squad numbers before he signed so that's what is left" Long serving midfielder Ian Ferguson has been awarded a testimonial after a decade with the club. It is hoped the game will be played when Rangers come out of the three-week winter shutdown. Possible opponents are Everton, managed by Walter Smith, or Benfica, managed by Graeme Souness.

Wednesday 5th August 1998

Teenage midfielder Barry Nicholson has signed a new 2 year deal with the club

Tuesday 4th August 1998

Rangers have completed the signing of Scotland captain Colin Hendry. Long term target Hendry leaves Blackburn Rovers in a deal worth close to £4 million. Rangers legend Ally McCoist has agreed a one year deal with Premier League team Kilmarnock.

Monday 3rd August 1998

Rangers will know in the next 24 hours if their move to sign Colin Hendry is successful. The club is believed to have raised their offer for the 32 year old Blackburn defender.