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Wednesday 31st July 2002

"Other 10" still plan to quit The 10 non-Old Firm clubs are to resign from the SPL after failing to agree with Rangers and Celtic over plans to change the voting structure. Motherwell's administrator Bryan Jackson confirmed the action when he said: "The 10 SPL clubs do intend to resign in the next 24 hours." The news comes after the dispute between Glasgow giants Rangers and Celtic, and the 10 non-Old Firm sides over a new TV deal looked to have been settled. Rangers had said they would back the BBC's TV deal for the good of the Scottish game, but added they were disappointed with the 10 non-Old Firm club's response. In a club statement, McClelland had said: "Rangers FC are disappointed to note that the 10 SPL clubs have not yet accepted any of the proposals put forward by the Old Firm to establish a basis for future co-operation. I'm delighted that after many months of discussion we have completed TV contracts which can only be good for the member clubs of the SPL and Scottish football in general." TV deal agreed The BBC have secured a two-year deal to screen Scottish Premier League games. Old Firm matches between Rangers and Celtic will be screened live throughout the United Kingdon after the BBC clinched a deal with the Scottish Premier League. The two-year deal will enable the four derbies between the giants of Scottish football to be shown live across the British Isles. BBC Scotland will show 38 live games a season on Sunday afternoon, as well as broadcast highlights from every SPL game. Dominic Coles, Director of Rights & Finance, BBC Sport said: "We relish the prospect of showing the Old Firm matches on the BBC Television network. They are one of the most passionate football events in the world." SPL chairman Lex Gold, said: "This agreement brings Premier League football into every home in Scotland. In addition to the TV deals we are pretty close to an agreement for radio and we hope to be in a position to do that shortly." The first game to be broadcast will be on 11 August. Rangers' game against Hibernian at Ibrox will be shown the following week. The other fixtures have yet to be announced. BBC Scotland's head of programmes Ken MacQuarrie said: "As Scotland's national broadcaster, we are committed to providing the very best football action free for our viewers and this deal certainly achieves that. Football fans across the country will be delighted that they will now be able to enjoy coverage of the SPL, Scottish Cup and Scotland's home internationals on the BBC." Gers win in Belfast Rangers completed their pre-season run with a Belfast victory which pleased two sets of supporters but gave Alex McLeish few, if any, selection headaches ahead of the SPL kick-off. The Ibrox manager left out all of the starters from last Sunday's draw with AC Milan and there was nothing from the reserves, new signing Kevin Muscat or goalscorer Tore Andre Flo, to pressure his absent stars. McLeish said last week he wanted those outside his inner selection circle to push for places but the response in Northern Ireland was minimal, despite thousands of fans turning out as Billy Dodds and Flo scored the goals. Now Peter Lovenkrands, Shota Arveladze and Claudio Caniggia look odds- on to start the SPL campaign at Kilmarnock on Saturday - despite the Dane and the Argentinian having had only one pre-season fixture. The tone of the evening was set beforehand by the Ballinran Flute Band as two supports merged as one but whether it was sound practice to sell alcohol outside the ground, only the RUC could confirm. Linfield won both Cups in Northern Ireland to match the achievements of Alex McLeish across the water, and their line-up included former Rangers reserve, Lee Feeney. The youngster was signed some years ago by Dick Advocaat but played only one SPL game and has returned home despite offers from Oldham and Tranmere. McLeish left out certain first picks for Rugby Park such as Craig Moore, Mikel Arteta, Barry Ferguson, Arthur Numan, Ronald de Boer and Peter Lovenkrands - with Stefan Klos, Lorenzo Amoruso and Arveladze on the bench. Nonetheless, his reserve line-up, skippered by Bert Konterman, played a 4-3-3 formation, with Flo, Michael Mols and Dodds in the three-pronged attack which the manager appears to have set his heart upon for the new season. It was one of the biggest club fixtures in Belfast for years, with 18,000 tickets sold, and Linfield manager David Jeffrey insisted it should be played on a more regular basis. Jeffrey said: "The match caught the imagination of the football public in Northern Ireland. It is not just a game, it was a major event. Rangers haven't been here for 18 years and it was a chance for the fans who travel constantly to Scotland to see them on their own doorstep. I think it should be an annual or biannual event and I know the supporters would certainly appreciate that. It would be some kind of payback for all the money that they spend following Rangers every season." Allan McGregor started in goal, with Klos in cotton-wool, and the young keeper did well twice in the opening stages when he averted danger. Neil McCann wasted a set-piece opportunity for Rangers before the deadlock was broken in the 28th minute - in the strangest of circumstances. Dodds was the scorer but he enjoyed a slice of good fortune when Muscat's cross came off a defender, hit the Scot and deflected beyond helpless keeper Alan Mannus. Mols was denied a goal by a last-gasp block as Rangers began to take control, with full- backs Muscat and Maurice Ross pushing on. There was a worry for the Ibrox side when Christian Nerlinger went down injured just before half-time in a challenge from Hugh Dickson but the German was able to continue after some treatment to his left knee. Mols was replaced after 64 minutes by Russell Latapy and, from the substitute's pass, Flo turned in the box to fire in a second goal.

Sunday 28th July 2002

Post-match comments Alex McLeish has handed new signing Kevin Muscat a stark warning - show you are the best player for the position or forget about the first team. The former Wolves defender failed to make the squad for the pre-season friendly against AC Milan at Ibrox, although the Rangers boss has promised the Australian will make an appearance against Linfield on Tuesday night. McLeish opted to start the game with Fernando Ricksen and hand Maurice Ross a place on the bench after both impressed him towards the end of last season. And McLeish insists he will remain loyal to that duo unless Muscat can prove he is good enough to make the right-back position his own. He said: "Muscat will play on Tuesday. He isn't injured - that's just the way I wanted it. Fernando Ricksen and Maurice Ross both finished the season on a high and I haven't got a short memory. When I see that Kevin can play better than those two and they do something wrong to get relegated, then he will get to play. Kevin is here to bolster the squad and to fight for his place and the other two have to fight to keep their places." Fellow new signing Mikel Arteta was given his home debut - but was also handed a tough lesson by former Rangers' favourite Rino Gattuso. McLeish was impressed by the former Barcelona midfielder's first game at Ibrox and insisted he was not concerned by fiery Italian Gattuso's tough tackles. He added: "I thought Arteta did well and the crowd warmed to him. We saw his technique, his passing ability and awareness and that will keep getting better. Rino was happy to be back - you could see that - and the fans gave him a warm welcome. He is remembered with great affection here." McLeish added: "In the second half we didn't get out of the pit. Milan pressed us back and gave us problems. Good goalkeeping, good defending and, sometimes, last-gasp defending kept them out but we played very well in the first half. We didn't take any chances - in European or league matches there are points and prizes at stake. But, in games like this, all that is at stake is prestige and pride and pride isn't worth taking chances with players with knocks." AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti claimed he was happy with the result - despite initially falling two goals behind - and admitted Peter Lovenkrands was the man who caused his side most of the problems. He said: "I am happy with that performance because it was the first important game since we started training. The Rangers team looked to be a very good team and, speaking individually, Lovenkrands was the man putting AC Milan into difficulty." Rangers draw with Milan Rangers were forced to settle for a draw against AC Milan after watching their two-goal advantage crumble. The Ibrox side took the lead after 15 minutes through Ronald de Boer before Claudio Caniggia added the second three minutes before the break. But Jon Dahl Tomasson pulled a goal back for the Serie A side on the half-time whistle and they upped the tempo after the interval.Their hard work eventually paid off 10 minutes before the end when substitute Marco Borriello slotted home to clinch a draw. The home support were treated to the sight of new signing Mikel Arteta in a Rangers jersey for the first time, although fellow new-boy Kevin Muscat - who is set to make his debut against Linfield on Tuesday night - was missing from the line-up. AC Milan, too, did not disappoint with their starting XI - which included household names such as Paolo Maldini, Andrei Shevchenko, Clarence Seedorf and former Rangers player Rino Gattuso. The fiery Italian spent two years at Ibrox and, during that time, became something of a cult hero at the club until his return to his homeland but his hard tackling on new boy Arteta succeeded only in incensing the crowd. Rangers took the lead after 15 minutes. Peter Lovenkrands made a good run down the left wing before flighting a cross into the path of Ronald De Boer and the Dutchman nodded home the opener from just outside the six-yard box. The home side could have doubled their lead just a few seconds later when Barry Ferguson's pass was met by Caniggia but his effort was easily held by goalkeeper Christian Abbiati. With just three minutes to the break, Rangers added to their tally. An Arteta corner was met by Amoruso who played the ball to de Boer. The Dutchman flicked on to Caniggia who sidefooted the ball home from just a couple of yards out. But Milan managed to pull a goal back right on the half-time whistle when Andrea Pirlo crossed the ball into the path of Tomasson who nodded past goalkeeper Stefan Klos. Clearly lifted by that goal, AC Milan were by far the stronger side in the opening stages of the second half and Rangers were forced to rely largely on Klos to hold onto their slim lead. The German was called into action 10 minutes after the restart when Shevchenko played the ball into the path of substitute Christian Brocchi, who looked certain to net, but he was denied by a fine save from the German. Four minutes later, Tomasson came close to grabbing his second goal of the day but, once again, Klos produced an impressive block to deny the Dane. The Rangers goalkeeper was quickly becoming the busiest person on the park and he did well to touch Brocchi's 20-yard drive just past the upright after 77 minutes. Milan's pressure was bound to pay off sooner or later and they grabbed the leveller with 10 minutes remaining. Ibrahim Ba was the provider and he set up Marco Borriello to slot home.

Saturday 27th July 2002

Places still up for grabs Alex McLeish has told his players being selected for tomorrow's glamour friendly with AC Milan will not guarantee them a place in the starting line-up once the season gets underway next week. The Gers have one other fixture to complete before going into Scottish Premier League battle, a trip to Linfield on Tuesday. A night in Belfast does not have the allure of an Ibrox encounter with one of the most famous names in world football, but nonetheless McLeish was quick to make it clear both games were of equal importance as he looks to finalise his plans for the new campaign. He said: "We are going to try to make sure that over the two games as many players as possible in the squad get as close to 90 minutes as possible. I know that the Milan game is the big, prestigious game and everyone will want to play in it, but my message to the players is that I haven't made my mind up yet. I have a nucleus in my head of course for the opening day of the league campaign, but over the next two games I'm looking for people to impress. I won't make my mind up until Thursday or Friday next week, so Linfield can't be treated as a small game, a going-through-the-motions game or a show-boating game." Winger Neil McCann is unlikely to take part in either game, however, as he is still recovering from the ankle injury which forced him out of the entire American tour. Midfielder Christian Nerlinger was also sidelined, but is now ready to resume.

Tuesday 23rd July 2002

Jesper joins Wolfburg on loan Jesper Christiansen has joined German Bundesliga side Wolfsburg on a one-year loan deal. The move, which has an option to become permanent at the end of the agreement, has been confirmed by Wolfsburg general manager Peter Pander. Christiansen told www.onside.dk: "I'm very happy to have agreed terms with Wolfsburg. The Bundesliga is one of the four best leagues in the world,"

Monday 22nd July 2002

Jesper to be a loan wolf Jesper Christiansen's agent has confirmed the Danish goalkeeper could be joining German side Wolfburg on a year long loan deal. Jesper has only made 6 first team apperances for Rangers since his £1.7 million move from Odense in October 2000. Agent Karsten Aabrink said: "I can confirm that talks are certainly in progress. I think we're going to see Jesper at Wolfsburg but it's not definite yet."

Sunday 21st July 2002

Further op for Ball Michael Ball is to have another operation to accelerate his rehabilitation from a knee injury. Ball has been told that a minor operation in two weeks would speed up the recovery process and manager Alex McLeish admits that he can now see light at the end of the tunnel. He said: "It's good news, Michael has been working hard and we are pleased with the doctor's findings." Gers go down to Santos Rangers lost the final match of their pre-season tour of New York to Pele's former side Santos, at Giants Stadium. Diego Ribas de Cunho scored the winner from the penalty spot (41), having gone down in the box when challenged by Kevin Muscat and Lorenzo Amoruso. Rangers boss Alex McLeish made multiple substitutions and Russell Latapy was prominent as the Light Blues searched for an equaliser to no avail.

Friday 19th July 2002

Lovenkrands to discuss new deal Peter Lovenkrands is ready to sit down with Rangers to discuss a new long-term contract. Director of Football Dick Advocaat claimed the club would open talks with the Danish international next month. And the striker, who still has two years left to run on his current deal, wants to commit his long term future to Ibrox. Lovenkrands said: "I gather I had a lot of offers from other clubs, but I am just happy that Rangers wanted me and I'm definitely going in there to see if I can get the best out of it. I just need to wait and see what they can offer me and wait and see how long it is going to be for. I want to stay as long as possible because I am having such a good time over here and my life has been magnificent here over the last couple of years. I hope it continues next season. That's why it's important for me to get the best contract possible with the club. It's been easy to settle because everybody's been so helpful and it's not that big a difference to Denmark. My agent called me and spoke to me about it during the World Cup and, of course, it's very flattering when some of the big clubs come in. But the only thing in my head was trying to get a new contract with Rangers and I told my agent that."

Thursday 18th July 2002

Gers hit four past Rage Rangers enjoyed a comfortable 4-1 victory against American minnows Reading Rage at the Yurcak Field in New Jersey. Around 1,000 fans turned up to see the Glasgow side continue their preparations for the new season against the Pro-League division three side. As expected the Gers dominated the match, with new signing Mikel Arteta looking particularly impressive. But they had to wait until the 20th minute to take the lead. Norwegian striker Tore Andre Flo opened the scoring with a close-range header from Russell Latapy's cross. Two minutes after the restart the SPL side doubled their lead thanks to second-half substitute Barry Ferguson, who replaced Fernando Ricksen at the break. He fired Billy Dodds' lay-off into the bottom corner from the edge of the area. Shota Arveladze, who came on for Flo, made it three on 70 minutes, collecting Ronald de Boer's 30-yard pass before coolly finishing. Ferguson grabbed his second from the spot seven minutes later after a handball in the area. Reading grabbed a consolation from the impressive Scott Wilson, who curled home a 25-yard free-kick eight-minutes from time.

Tuesday 16th July 2002

Greeks interested in Mols New Akratitos manager Frans Adelaar has long been an admirer and tried to take Mols to former club Utrecht last season. But Adelaar will follow the progress of the striker, whose contract ends next summer, closely in the coming months. He told the Scottish Daily Mail: "I am in touch with Michael's progress in Glasgow with Rangers because Jan Wouters just happens to be my best friend in football. Last season, I wanted to take Michael back to Utrecht and had planned to do that with a loan arrangement. Unfortunately, my technical director Han Berger did not see the merit in such deals and it never happened. I have just arrived in Greece and I am assessing the players I have inherited at the club. But Michael is a terrific player and I am always interested in someone of his ability. As soon as I know the exact position at my new club, we will take it from there." Mols however is determined to gain a regular place in the team and claims he is fitter now than he has been for "a long time". Mols told rangers.co.uk: "So far, it's been a good pre-season for me. Physically I feel good. There are no worries about the knee, nothing at all. This is as good as I have felt for a long time. Of course, I want to play more games, but, then again, so do a lot of players. It's not just for me, it's hard for every player to get into the Rangers team. There is massive competition and it's nothing new. Right now, it's about getting match-fit and then I'll fight for a place, like every other player."

Sunday 14th July 2002

Gers lose to River Plate Alex McLeish was pleased with his side's display despite watching them go down 3-2 to River Plate in their New York friendly on Saturday night. The Light Blues fought their way back from 2-0 down to level with goals from Shota Arveladze and Lorenzo Amoruso at Giants Stadium but the Argentinian champions grabbed the winner through Massimiliano Lopez. Celso Ayala and Victor Zapata had put River ahead in an entertaining encounter which Rangers finished with 10 men after Arthur Numan was sent off towards the end. Skipper Barry Ferguson and new signing Mikel Arteta were particularly impressive for the Scottish side and McLeish was pleased with the way the duo linked up. McLeish told the club's official website, rangers.co.uk: "I thought Barry and Mikel were excellent. River Plate's midfield was causing us problems early on, so we changed things about and it suited them better. Mikel moved further forward in the second half and I thought he had a fantastic game. His touch was there and he and Barry looked comfortable with each other." Ayala opened the scoring after 17 minutes but Amoruso and Arveladze both spurned chances to equalise before the break. Zapata made them pay by adding the second six minutes into the second half but Arveladze responded by pulling one back after good work from Fernando Ricksen on the hour. Amoruso's stunning free-kick restored parity on 77 minutes but Rangers were immediately caught napping as Lopez netted the winner straight from the restart. There was no way back for Gers and Numan saw red in the dying moments for a tackle on River substitute Andres D'Allesandro. But McLeish was far from disappointed and added: "I thought it was a terrific game. We got everything we wanted in terms of a physical work-out and more. We could have scored more goals, River Plate could have scored more goals so it looks as if defences will have to tighten up a little bit. But it was a fantastic game. We have plenty to be happy about, the most important thing is we get our fitness 100% at the start of the season. It would have been nice to win the game to boost our confidence but the players shouldn't be too worried. We played a lot of good stuff and the only thing we could recriminate ourselves on would be the goals we lost."

Saturday 13th July 2002

Numan to decide future Arthur Numan will decide this year whether to end his career at Rangers - or have a final season in the American Major League. The Dutch defender revealed his plans here in New York as he prepares for his fifth season in Scotland. Numan, 32, signed a contract extension at Ibrox last season, but admits he has a big decision to make. He siad: "I don't really know yet what I'll be doing. I extended my contract last season by another year which gives me two more to go at the club. I want to see how I feel myself, that is important. The last two seasons I have managed to stay away from injuries and played a lot of games, and I was happy with that. In December I think I'll decide. I am going into my fifth season at Rangers, but if you feel good and you feel fit then it doesn't matter how long you go for, it's how you feel yourself in you own mind. I will not go to another team in Holland, or anywhere else in Europe. So it's going to be another year at Rangers after this coming one, or I will go to America at the end of the season." Numan certainly looked fit and sharp as he played the second half of Rangers 3-0 win over a College Select in New Jersey yesterday. But he admitted it was a gruelling afternoon for Alex McLeish's players as the game was played in the soaring temperatures which hit almost 100 degrees. Numan smiled: "I was a bit surprised we played the game yesterday at two o'clock in the afternoon. It was very, very hot. It's good the rest of the games are in the evening, although it's still quite warm. But I would rather play in this than in the rain and cold. The referee stopped every quarter because he knew it was taking so much from the players and you must get fluid back into the body. We have another three friendlies, although results are not that important at this stage - fitness is vital."

Friday 12th July 2002

Rangers start with a win Rangers opened their New York tour with a comfortable 3-0 win over an American All-Star college side at Rutgers University. Lorenzo Amoruso headed the Scottish side ahead after 20 minutes before Michael Mols doubled the advantage three minutes before the break from a Tore Andre Flo cross. Bert Konterman wrapped up the victory with a looping header from debutant substitute Mikel Arteta's corner. Rangers were rarely troubled in a dominant display in which Norwegian Flo could easily have had a hat-trick. Manager Alex McLeish also took the opportunity to give summer signing Kevin Muscat his first run out for the club. However, Rangers skipper Barry Ferguson suffered an injury scare during the victory. The midfielder picked up a muscle strain and had to have ice strapped to his right thigh. Boss McLeish said: "We took Barry off at half-time purely as a precaution. We don't want to take any risks with him at this stage."

Wednesday 10th July 2002

Hughes out to impress Stephen Hughes is hoping his injury worries will become a distant memory this season. A niggling knee problem saw the 21-year-old miss out on the Scottish Cup final and a first Scotland cap. But now Hughes is determined to impress his qualities on both Rangers manager Alex McLeish and Scotland boss Berti Vogts. Hughes said: "This season I'm looking for an even bigger campaign than the last one. Last season I played many games but I could have appeared even more if it wasn't for injuries. This season I'll be looking to be involved every week, either on the bench or in the starting line-up. We'll have a great squad. I hope we can get the league title back. I was a little disappointed not to be out there in the Far East with Scotland at the end of last season. Hopefully next season I can show that I'm good enough and Berti will include me in his squads. Being injured is a regret. It caused me to miss the Scottish Cup final as well as other big games. But there were many highlights - playing against Feyenoord and Fenerbahce, getting some action against Celtic and being called up by Scotland for the first friendly in Paris against France."

Tuesday 9th July 2002

McLeish: "Holidays are over" Alex McLeish today set course to New York with his Rangers players and insisted they were crossing the Atlantic on a serious mission. The Gers boss is planning to make it a testing time for his stars in the searing 90-degree heat of the Big Apple. Rangers flew out of Glasgow this morning and will play four games, two against amateur US outfits and, in all probability, two much more testing encounters against the South American might of River Plate and Santos. The 12-day tour has been designed to promote Rangers' global name, with fans expected to flock from all over North America to watch the team in action. But for McLeish, the business is serious with the new season now less than a month away. The Gers gaffer said: "We are going to the States to work hard, train hard and use the games as a vital part of our preparations. There will be a bit of time off for the lads to do some sightseeing because we are away for almost two weeks. But it's not a holiday - this is pre-season and it's vital that we are ready. I am very happy with the condition of the players after the break. I think they know that they can't let themselves go during the summer break, though we did tell them they could let their hair down - within reason of course. But we also told them to tick over by going to the gym or playing a bit of tennis or golf, and I'm glad to say they have listened. This is not an enjoyable time of the year for players, but they have to go through it as it's vital to any success they might achieve." McLeish revealed that in his playing days he struggled so badly in one particular pre-season that it was Christmas before he hit peak condition. He said: "I know from personal experience that if you let yourself go in the summer it can be hard to get back." McLeish also confirmed defender Bob Malcolm and goalie Allan McGregor have agreed new deals. Maurice Ross has also been offered an extension, but has so far to agree terms after initial talks. McLeish said: "Maurice is under contract anyway."

Sunday 7th July 2002

McClelland hopeful over TV deal Chairman John McClelland is confident a television deal can be brokered for Scottish football before the start of the new season. The Old Firm and the other 10 Scottish Premier League clubs had been at loggerheads since April when Rangers and Celtic withdrew their support for SPL TV. Consequently, the remaining SPL clubs announced their intention to quit the SPL over the issue. Sky Sports did not renew their deal with the SPL leaving BBC Scotland as the only runners in the race. Now McClelland, who succeeded David Murray as Ibrox supremo on Friday, has revealed Rangers and Celtic have both conceded ground to help a new deal progress. McClelland said: "Some progress has been made and I am hopeful it will all be sorted out quite quickly. We have agreed to alter the voting system from 11-1 to 8-4 and that is a significant change. Had that structure, for instance, been in place last season the SPL channel would have been voted in. We (Rangers and Celtic) have also agreed to cut our percentage of the distribution of income from television and other commercial activities from 40 to around one-third of the total. The other clubs want that reduced further but we feel we have gone as far as we can on that one. It's fair to say we have probably climbed down on these issues and it would be a shame if we couldn't agree at this stage and move on for the sake of Scottish football." One of the sticking points over the original deal had been the inclusion of the Old Firm in the SPL. The pair both held talks with the Nationwide League over a possible move to England but plans fell through when authorities stood against any move south. But McClelland maintains a move to a European league is a possibility. McClelland said: "The Premiership idea is on the back burner. I can assure you there are no secret talks going on with them or the Nationwide League. Maybe there was too much hype and it wasn't going to happen quickly, if ever. There are alternatives to pursue, maybe in the shape of a European League or re-structured UEFA competitions. We also have to look at access to more British and European cups."

Friday 5th July 2002

Murray steps down as Chairman David Murray has urged Rangers supporters not to read anything sinister in his decision to step down as Ibrox chairman. The 50-year-old has handed the role of chairman to John McClelland, who had previously been vice chairman of the club. Murray's decision brings an end to a golden era at the club which included Rangers equalling Celtic's nine league titles in a row during the multi-millionaire's time at the helm. But Murray insisted the time had come for him to spend more time 'working' with his family. Murray said: "I've always been known as the chairman of Rangers rather than chairman of Murray International. My two sons David and Keith are now working with me and I want to spend time working with them. I've been working 30 to 40 hours a week on Rangers business. In my 14 years with Rangers there have been 14 annual meetings and 65 directors' meetings and I haven't missed one of them." But Murray maintained he would not have made his decision to stand down if things had not been so positive on and off the field. Murray recently offered manager Alex McLeish an extended deal after the former Hibernian boss guided the team to CIS and Scottish Cup wins last season. The outgoing Gers chief now believes McLeish can establish a healthy relationship with his successor McClelland. Murray told the Glasgow Evening Times: "We have a new manager and a good squad with a great backroom team, both on the footballing side and the business side. John McClelland is a very experienced man and I wouldn't have stepped down if he had not been in place to take over." But Murray admitted his decision had also been prompted by the ever-changing financial face of football. Murray was the man who pumped millions into the club in the hope of turning it into a major force in European football. The Ibrox faithful enjoyed many memorable nights in the Champions League but the club never made it past the first group stage. Last season saw a UEFA Cup run extend past Christmas for the first time in nine years but that coincided with a footballing recession that has hit Scotland harder than most European nations. As a result, the previous high spending in the transfer market has been reigned in, with the £6million purchase of Mikel Arteta this summer's only major outlay. The club's ambitions to move to the Barclaycard Premiership also remain unfulfilled and it appears Murray has simply decided he has taken the club as far as he can. He said: "It has been a great honour to have held the position of chairman for 14 years but I feel a change of management style would be beneficial for the club as the whole industry faces new challenges. A strong team is now in place to assist John in reaching our financial, commercial and football targets which collectively must be more realistic as recently costs have soared and incomes remained static. These facts are facing all clubs at present. I will still be available for support and advice when required." McClelland, understudy to Murray since November 2000, will now have sole control of Rangers' operations. McClelland said: "This is obviously a great privilege and I value David and the board's confidence in me by making this appointment. Although these are changing times in football and business in general, there are many important aspects of Rangers Football Club that will not change, one of these being the excellence displayed in Rangers operations under the outstanding leadership of David. His time as chairman has given the club the most successful period in its history. As honorary chairman he will still have a key role and will be there to provide ongoing advice to all of us at Rangers in the future."

Tuesday 2nd July 2002

de Boer tips Arteta for sucess yesterday welcomed former Barcelona team-mate Mikel Arteta to Ibrox and immediately tipped him for stardom. The £5.8million Spaniard completed his first training session at Murray Park along with Bosman signing Kevin Muscat. And de Boer, who spent a season with Arteta at Barca after the youngster broke into the star-studded first-team squad as a teenager, believes Rangers have landed a gem. He said: "Arteta is a player I know very well. You could see at Barcelona he was already a very good talent and since then he has spent two years playing top-level football for Paris St Germain so he will now have become even better. He really knows how to play the game and he was a talent in the same mould as Josep Guardiola. But at Barcelona he was number three behind Guardiola and then Xavi, another Spanish international, so it was very tough for a young guy to get in the team. I am looking forward to seeing him again and I am certain he can make a big contribution to Rangers." De Boer is himself facing a big season as he bids finally to find his best form after 18 injury-plagued months in Scottish football. He said: "I am feeling very good fitness-wise - there are no problems. The toe that was troubling me at the end of last season feels fine. After a couple of weeks' holiday it was healed completely. That was all it required - complete rest. So I'm looking forward to the next month when we will be gearing up for the new season."