David Murray has confirmed they have agreed a £1million fee with Middlesbrough for out-of-favour Scotland winger Allan Johnston. Johnston - nicknamed 'Magic' - has faded completely from the first-team reckoning at Ibrox and looks set to resurrect his stalling career with a surprise switch to the Premiership and a link-up with new Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren. Johnston arrived in Glasgow in the summer of last term but has failed to make an impression on the Rangers coaching staff or fans. He did earn rave reviews for a stunning performance in the Champions League victory over Sturm Graz last season, but injuries and a loss of form meant the former Hearts star never reached that level of performance again all season. Now it seems Johnston is about to accept the opportunity of a fresh start with McClaren's new-look Riverside outfit and it will be a transfer that represents good business from Murray's point of view. Johnston arrived in Govan on a Bosman free transfer from Bolton Wanderers after an unhappy end to his previous spell in the North-East with Sunderland and Rangers now stand on the verge of a handsome profit on the Scotland fringe player's services. Murray said:
"We have been approached by Middlesbrough, the player has met them and now it's entirely up to him whether he wants to go elsewhere for first-team football. I've been in talks with Keith Lamb and we have agreed a £1million fee. Now it's up to Allan to agree personal terms with Middlesbrough."

Rangers' new boys were on song as Dick Advocaat's side opened their Scottish Premier League campaign with a 3-0 success at Aberdeen. All three Rangers goals came from debutants as Christian Nerlinger, Russell Latapy and Claudio Caniggia were on target in the second half at Pittodrie. Nerlinger opened the scoring on 57 minutes, Latapy doubled the Light Blues' lead 10 minutes later and Caniggia made it three in the 72nd minute.

Rangers have confirmed that defender Lorenzo Amoruso will only miss two to three weeks after a thigh injury in the 3-0 Champions League win in Maribor. The Italian was forced to come off the field at half-time after suffering the injury in Slovenia. Club doctor Gert Goudswaard told the club website, rangers.co.uk:
"I'd say he could be back playing in two or three weeks which is better than what we first thought."

Rangers boss Dick Advocaat is looking for more from his players - despite the 3-0 Champions League win over Slovenian club NK Maribor. It gives the Scots a handy cushion going into the home leg of the second qualifying round tie. Advocaat said:
"I am quite pleased with the 3-0. But I still think that every individual can still do better than they showed in this match."

The Scottish Premier League has restored the Old Firm battles back to the more traditional place of Saturday afternoons. Champions Celtic and arch rivals Rangers will clash for the first time at Ibrox in front of the Sky TV cameras on September 29 at 1pm and will continue in the same slot throughout the campaign. The decision by the SPL has been well received by the Old Firm and is also set to get the same favourable response from both sets of fans. Rangers director Campbell Ogilvie said:
"Rangers Football Club is delighted with the return of Old Firm games to Saturdays for live BSkyB fixtures."

The decision to move the Old Firm forward falls in line with the move to play all SPL matches on a Saturday and move the live televised games forward from late on Sunday evening to the day before, at 5.35pm. SPL director of finance and administration Iain Blair said:
"After close consultation with Strathclyde Police, BSkyB and the clubs involved, the decision to bring the Old Firm games in line with the Saturday fixture card was made. BSkyB will broadcast three of the four Old Firm derbies with the other shown live on BBC, on a date to be confirmed. In the event of Celtic and Rangers participating in the UEFA Cup first round their first derby of the season will be moved to 1pm on Sunday September 30. We are delighted to be able to all-but complete the return to the tradition of Saturday football and are sure the move will be welcomed by both clubs and fans alike."

Rangers were handed a Champions League qualifying boost when skipper Barry Ferguson boarded the plane for Wednesday's clash with Maribor. The midfielder had been doubtful because of a heel injury which limited him to just 45 minutes of a pre-season friendly against a Dutch amateur team. But Ronald de Boer did not make the flight from Glasgow to Slovenia. The Dutchman's Achilles injury was deemed too risky so he stayed at home. Also remaining in Scotland were striker Billy Dodds, winger Andrei Kanchelskis and defender Scott Wilson. Midfielder Claudio Reyna emphasised the importance of getting a first-leg result. He said:
"We feel we can go there and get a result but it will be difficult. We know little about them and that could be dangerous, we've got to go there and respect them. The worst case scenario would be draw."

Anderlecht fired a 'must do better' warning to Rangers ahead of their Champions League qualifier against Maribor next week. A goal in each half allowed the Belgians to inflict defeat on Dick Advocaat's men in John Brown's testimonial game. Anderlecht went ahead after 15 minutes through a Besnik Hasi free-kick but Claudio Caniggia levelled for Rangers. But Rangers were undoned again when Glen de Boeck nodded home the winner after the break.

Anderlecht had the first chance of the game after just two minutes. Oleg Iachtchouk's cross found Hyeos Seol but his shot was weak and easily cleared by Lorenzo Amoruso for a corner. All three of Rangers new summer signings - Christian Nerlinger, Russell Latapy and Claudio Caniggia - featured in the starting line- up and the former Boca Juniors and Dundee striker Caniggia in particular impressed in his role up front with Michael Mols.

But it was Caniggia's Dutch striker partner who gave Rangers their first real chance of the game after nine minutes. Claudio Reyna released Mols inside the 18 yard box but he pulled his shot just wide of the post. Despite enjoying the best of the play, Rangers found themselves a goal behind after 15 minutes after the visitors were awarded a free- kick 20 yards out. Hasi stepped up for the set piece and fired the ball into Stefan Klos' bottom right-hand corner.

Despite falling a goal behind, Rangers still looked the more dominating side and had the chance to pull a goal back after 19 minutes. Despite his attempts to find a new club during the summer, Amoruso is obviously still regarded as a favourite by the Ibrox faithful and received rapturous applause when he took a free-kick just outside the 18 yard box and his shot, deflected off the Anderlecht wall, was held by goalkeeper Filip de Wilde.The Belgians had received a blow earlier in the game when a back injury forced Seol to be substituted but it was his replacement, Aruna Dindane, who almost set up Anderlecht's second goal. He crossed the ball to Walter Baseggio, who's shot was only just touched past the post by Stefan Klos after 26 minutes.

Caniggia was one of Rangers most impressive players in the first half and the pacy Argentinian continued that form after the break when he brought Dick Advocaat's side back into the game. Fernando Ricksen burst down the right wing before flighting a cross into the area, which was met by Caniggia who nodded past de Wilde after 52 minutes. But Anderlecht regained their lead just four minutes later. Alin Stoica's pass found Baseggio. He nodded the ball into the path of de Boeck, who sent a header past Klos. Latapy and Caniggia combined well to set up Mols after 59 minutes but the Dutchman failed to connect properly just yards out. It proved to be his last contribution to the game when he was replaced by Kenny Miller two minutes later. Craig Moore had the chance to level again with a header from a couple of yards out but he was denied by an alert de Boeck who produced the clearance. With just 10 minutes to go Latapy fed the ball through to Caniggia. He burst into the 18 yard box and looked certain to grab the equaliser but the ball was intercepted by Aleksander Ilic and the danger was cleared. Three minutes later, Latapy should have added his name to the scoresheet but his close-range shot was blocked by de Boeck before the goalkeeper denied the former Hibs player from netting from the rebound.

After 85 minutes, the home crowd were on their feet when Latapy was replaced by John Brown but Bomber could not alter the course of the game.

Rangers must overcome Turkish champions Fenerbahce in a third round nail-biter if they are to make it to the Champions League proper. The Ibrox side are already facing a perilous two-legged encounter with Slovenian title winners NK Maribor but they now know that if they successfully negotiate this clash, life will be no easier in the next round. Fenerbahce are currently top dogs in Turkey having narrowly pipped former UEFA Cup winners Galatasaray to the title last term and will provide Dick Advocaat's side with a truly stern test. The Ibrox men do, however, have some recent experience of Turkish opposition, having been drawn with Galatasaray in the group stages of last season's competition. The Gers lost 3-2 in Istanbul last term and they can expect a similarly warm reception should they win the right to return next month. The first leg of this clash is scheduled for either August 7 or 8, with the return leg a fortnight later. The Turks will be coming to Glasgow for the first leg so it will be imperative that The Gers get off to the best possible start. No less than a win at home will be good enough to give them a chance of making it to the Champions League proper.

Dick Advocaat insists Neil McCann is destined to be a key player for the Ibrox club after signing a new four-year deal. The winger spent much of last season battling against a hernia problem but has fought back to win a new contract that will keep him in Govan until 2005. And, as Advocaat prepares his squad ahead of their opening Champions League qualifier against Maribor next week, he tipped McCann to terrorise defences next term. Advocaat said:
"A player like Neil McCann has shown in the past what he can bring for us and hopefully he can do that for the next four years as well. He is a good player and with his pace he can still damage a lot of defenders. In football, pace is very important."

Despite enduring a disappointing campaign, Advocaat has added just three new players - Christian Nerlinger, Claudio Caniggia and Russell Latapy - for the season ahead. Instead he is focusing his attention on players already at the club and is now hopeful that former captain Lorenzo Amoruso will be the next player to put pen to paper on a new deal. The Italian was linked to various clubs throughout the summer but failed to complete a move to a new team and reported back at Rangers' new Murray Park complex for training with the rest of the squad. But Advocaat believes Amoruso can still be an important player for Rangers. He added:
"He's back again. As you know, everybody was asking me last season about all the departures of players and he's still here and he's doing a good job so hopefully he can sign for an extension of his contract."

Tugay Kerimoglu has completed his transfer from Rangers to Blackburn Rovers after the Home Office granted him a work permit. The £1.3million signing has joined up with the Blackburn squad for their pre-season tour of Austria and Germany. Blackburn chief executive John Williams said:
"We are obviously delighted that the hearing accepted our appeal. Tugay was identified by Graeme as his top summer target. This is a major signing for us. His arrival adds another piece to the jigsaw as we prepare for Premiership football once more."

Tore Andre Flo allayed doubts over his fitness for next week's Champions League clash against NK Maribor with a first-half goal in the 1-3 over Malmo on Tuesday evening. The Norwegian striker feared he had broken his nose after being elbowed in the face against FC Copenhagen on Sunday which would have ruled him out of the testing Champions League trip to Slovenia next Wednesday. However, the Norwegian showed no ill-effects as he nodded home Craig Moore's knockback from Christian Nerlinger's corner midway through the half, cancelling out Jorgen Ohlsson's 15 minute opener for the home side. With the half-time whistle looming, Malmo goalkeeper Jonnie Fedel saved bravely to deny Claudio Caniggia as he raced through on goal. Moments later, the Argentinian made no mistake, finding the bottom corner after he had been sent clear by Russell Latapy. Michael Mols continued his rehabilitation after the break when he replaced Flo, but the SPL runners-up were, not for the first time on the night, indebted to 'keeper Steffan Klos as he denied Elanga the equaliser. Rangers extended their advantage 12 minutes into the second period when Neil McCann's corner was allowed to travel, unmolested, into the Malmo goal. Although there were no more goals, Dick Advocaat will have been delighted with the way that Mols and Caniggia dovetailed together, leaving him with a choice of strikers - a luxury he has rarely enjoyed in the last 12 months - for the NK Maribor clash next week.

Michael Mols made his latest Rangers comeback in Demark this afternoon. Mols replaced Caniggia during the 2nd half of Rangers 1-1 draw with FC Cophagen. Christian Nerlinger opend the scoring following neat play with Latapy and Reyna, but Thomas Rĝll quickly equalised for the home team

Michael Mols has ended his rehabilitation in Holland and rejoined his team-mates at the club's new £14million training ground. The Dutchman has been working hard in his homeland in an attempt to build up the fitness that has so far proved elusive since his serious knee injury in 1999. Comebacks have been attempted and aborted but he arrived back in Scotland last night and is scheduled to take part in his first Murray Park training session tomorrow. Mols had been working on his own in Amsterdam from the end of April right through to the beginning of July. But he rejoined his team mates at Rangers' Dutch training camp last week and worked with the players every day, looking sharp and confident enough to be allowed to return to the first team fold. Assistant manager Bert van Lingen told rangers.co.uk:
"Michael is back with us again for good. We still have to be careful with him because we don't want to rush him or take any risks, but the situation is looking a lot brighter."

A fit Mols would be a real boost for manager Dick Advocaat, who knows he must regain the ground lost to Celtic last season. He hit 13 goals in 20 matches following his £4million switch from Utrecht, when he opted to turn down the chance to play in the Premiership by snubbing Sheffield Wednesday. But his career was cruelly stopped in its tracks in Munich in November 1999 when he suffered cruciate ligament damage trying to avoid a touchline collision with Bayern goalkeeper Oliver Kahn. Last season he played 21 times and scored seven goals, including Champions League strikes against Sturm Graz and Monaco and the final goal in the 5-1 demolition of Celtic.

Rangers ended their 3 game tour of the Netherlands with a 8-0 wn over W.H.C. Kenny Miller grabbed his 2nd hat-trick of the tour. Well taken strikes (2,18,36) gave Miller his tally with Billy Dodds on 6 and Christian Nerlinger's 22-yard shot (24) making it 5-0 at the break. Claudio Caniggia found Tore Andre Flo in space and he drove home (52), before Caniggia himself netted (80) and Flo made it eight with two minutes left.

1st Half team: Klos; Ross, Wilson, Vidmar; Kanchelskis, Johnston, Nerlinger, McCann; Dodds; Miller, Gayle

2nd Half team: Klos; Wilson, Konterman, Amoruso; Ricksen, Reyna, Nerlinger, Numan; de Boer; Flo, Caniggia.

Rangers captain Barry Ferguson looks set to miss the club's pre-season trip to Scandinavia with a heel injury. The injury is not considered serious but will rule the midfielder out of action for at least a week. Rangers manager Dick Advocaat told the club website, rangers.co.uk:
"Barry had some problems with his heel which we could have done without, but I feel he will be fit for the European tie with Maribor."

Claudio Caniggia had Rangers fans eagerly awaiting the start of the new season, slotting a goal and setting up another in an easy win in Holland. The Argentinian fired the opener from 20-yards on 12 before providing Ronald de Boer with an easy chance to net the second on the half hour. Allan Johnston grabbed a double (52,53) before Capelle got one back on 66 and Marcus Gayle made it 5-1 on 75.

Rangers: Christiansen; Moore (Ross 45), Konterman, Amoruso (Wilson 45); Ricksen, Reyna (Vidmar 45), Nerlinger (Kanchelskis 45), Numan (McCann 45); de Boer (Johnston 45); Caniggia (Dodds 45) Flo (Gayle 45)

Arthur Numan has pledged his future to the club by promising to sign an extension to his current Ibrox contract which expires in 2002. The Dutch international, who became the club's record signing when he joined from PSV for £5million in June 1998, has been impressed with the current set-up at the club - including the new training complex at Auchenhowie. Numan believes the new Murray Park academy provides a massive boost for the club. Numan said:
"I intend to extend my contract which is in its last year and finish my career at Rangers. The new complex is like signing for a new club and makes such a great difference to training. All the facilities are there. Last season we would arrive at Ibrox then travel by bus for perhaps 20 or 30 minutes before training, then afterwards it was back to Ibrox. Now I can drive there in the morning, perhaps do some work with weights before training and then relax afterwards. In Holland every club - even at amateur level, has their own training complex but Auchenhowie is much bigger than Ajax and PSV. The gym is bigger, there are more pitches, the medical facilities are better."

Rangers opened their Dutch tour with a 7-0 win over Dovo. Kenny Miller bagged a first half hat-trick as Dick Advocaat fielded nearly a different team in each half. Ronald de Boer opened the scoring followed by Miller's 3 with Numan, Dodds and Kanchelskis adding goals in the second half. Advocaat used a 3-4-1-2 formation with de Boer behind the strikers in the first half and Latapy in the second.

1st Half team: Klos; Moore, Konterman, Amoruso; Ricksen, Reyna, Ferguson, McCann; de Boer; Flo, Miller.

2nd Half team: Klos; Ross, Wilson, Vidmar; Kanchelskis, Johnston, Nerlinger, Numan; Latapy; Dodds, Gayle

Rangers have officially opened their new £14million training ground, which is to be named Murray Park in honour of chairman David Murray. The decision to name the centre after the Ibrox supremo, who has been in charge since 1988, was taken by the board and supporters groups without his consultation. Murray said he felt honoured by the gesture and declared the state-of-the-art complex to be long overdue in Scottish football. And the chairman predicted it would be not long before Rangers fans would see the benefits in youth development although he also stressed the day of the big name, big money signing was not over yet. He said:
"It is not only significant for Rangers but for Scottish football it was long overdue and needed. It is something every Rangers supporter can be very proud of."

The training complex had been in the pipeline for some time but was speeded up into reality by the arrival of manager Dick Advocaat who had been amazed that a club that regularly competed in the top European competition trained its players on a borrowed cricket pitch. Advocaat said:
"When I arrived in Glasgow I was astonished that a club of the size and reputation of Rangers did not have its own training facility. I am delighted therefore to have been part of the creation of this superb complex."

Manager and chairman jointly unveiled a plaque to mark the official opening although only the chairman's name was on it. Rangers have bought in three new players over the summer but have not spent heavily by their own standards and have recouped far more from outgoing transfers since the title was surrendered to Celtic last season. But Murray, who rubbished suggestions that Liverpool's Patrik Berger is coming to Ibrox, said the chequebook could still be opened once more. He said:
"If we have got to spend £5million or £6million on a player we will do that. I don't believe the need to strengthen the squad was as great as some critics made out but if we need to recruit we will do that. Over the last month we have not spent much money but over the past year we have spent £50million and I doubt if any other club in Britain has done that. I think football, regretfully, is very much about money today - who pays the big wages. But if we have got a player who is wavering over a move here this could swing it."

Murray cited the contract extension of key defender Craig Moore as an example, with the Australian keener to recommit now the centre is in operation. Murray Park covers 38-acres and includes six full-size pitches, two half-size, an indoor pitch and training centre. There is also a hydrotherapy pool to help injured players recover and the whole complex costs £1.25million a year to run. The club have spent £50,000 on a video editing suite which will see Advoccat linked to a camera operator by walkie-talkie during each training session so footage can be shown in a lecture room afterwards. Murray Park is patrolled by seven full-time security guards and the first team players have their own chef and gymnasium training regimes.

Craig Moore has put pen to paper on a new 4 year deal at Ibrox. Moore had two years to run on his deal, signed when he return to Rangers after a spell at short spell at Crystal Palace.

Dick Advocaat has declared that he expects Russell Latapy to join the club in time for this week's pre-season tour of Holland. The Trinidad and Tobago star, who has quit international football, has arrived in Glasgow to complete his free transfer move. Advocaat told rangers.co.uk:
"All things being equal, he will travel to Holland on Wednesday."

Russell Latapy has confirmed his intention to kick-start his career at Ibrox after a fall out with his former club Hibernian. Latapy reckons his attacking style of play will go down well at Ibrox and hopes to win trophies at the club. The Trinidadian said:
"My qualities are offensive so that's the quality I want to take to the club. Hopefully I can help to improve the club."