JULY 1999

Wednesday 28th July 1999

First half goals from captain Lorenzo Amoruso, a double from debut star Michael Mols and a late second-half strike from substitute Jonatan Johansson gave Rangers the perfect start to their European campaign. Ibrox boss Advocaat will be delighted with his £4 million man, Michael Mols, after a display of supreme skill and finishing ability. But it was skipper Amoruso who opened the scoring in the 16th minute with a blistering 20 yard free kick. Claudio Reyna rolled the ball to the right of the defensive wall and Amo fired into the top corner of the net before Haka keeper Vilnrotter could move. Mols, who limped off injured at the end of the match, then got in on the act with an even more powerful finish from a similar distance. With his back to goal 20 yards out he produced a fabulous turn that left his marker flat on his back, he took one touch and fired the ball past Vilnrotter. That was his first competitive goal in a Rangers shirt after just 26 minutes of his debut. And it didn't take him long to add a second to his tally with another dazzling piece of skill. As the ball dropped from Adamczuk's looping cross, Mols killed it and lost his marker with one deft touch. That left him enough room to pick his spot and make it 3-0 minutes before the interval. The Dutchman was pleased with his performance: "The goals gave me a good feeling because they make it easier in the next game, I could have had a hat-trick but it is unrealistic to expect me to score all the time. I always knew the goals would come but you just don't know when. It's nice that they have come in a European game right at the start of my Rangers' career. With just five minutes to go Jonatan Johansson won a corner when he turned inside the box and fired in a powerful drive that Vilnrotter pushed over the bar. Jorg Albertz sent the corner into the box and Craig Moore rose to head the ball goalwards. Torkkeli cleared off the line but Johansson was on hand to score from close range. The SPL will increase to 12 clubs in 2000/1 with a late-season split into two groups of six to determine the title, Europe and relegation placings. After 33 games, the SPL will divide and the teams in each section will play each other once to complete 38 games. The split structure has been formally endorsed by the SPL's member clubs and follows consultations with leagues in Austria, Switzerland and Croatia. Play-offs to add two more teams will be held at the end of the coming season. Clubs will not be allowed up if they do not have a 10,000 all-seat stadium. Lower-placed clubs will go up instead. See official SPL Website for more details.

Monday 26th July 1999

Rangers Chairman David Murray has joined the war of words with English side Sunderland. Following Dick Advocaat's attack on Sunderland boss Peter Reid, who claimed Rangers had 'tapped' Scottish winger Allan Johnston, Murray has stepped in to lend his weight to the argument. He said: "I find these allegations strange because this club employed an agent to circulate every club in the English and Scottish Premierships informing us of Johnston's availability. They are right to say we have not been in touch with them, because we are not intersested in buying him. They have promoted the sale of the player and now for some reason Peter Reid has turned on us." Advocaat had already reacted angrily, saying: "He thinks that, but how can he know it? Nobody has spoken to him but he is accusing Rangers, I don't know why." Andrei Kanchelskis will miss Wednesday's match against FC Haka as he has a groin strain. The former Manchester United winger has in fact returned to Manchester to seek further medical help in a bid to recover as soon as possible. But on a plus note, Neil McCann is fit after missing out on Ian Ferguson's testimonial against Sunderland last Wednesday. Haka's ground will be full to it's 2,500 capacity after failing to have the game switched to a bigger stadium. The kick-off is 5pm British time.

Friday 23rd July 1999

Rangers' potential reward for beating Finnish champions Haka in the Champions League second qualifying round is a new showdown with mighty Italians Parma. Dick Advocaat's treble heroes found the short straw in Friday's draw in Geneva, pulling out the Serie-A club who went on to lift last season's UEFA Cup after beating Rangers in the third round. Gers can draw comfort from that tie, however, having led 1-0 in the away leg and 2-1 on aggregate until a red card for Sergio Porrini changed the game. Digital channel S2 will screen the first league of the tie with FC Haka live from Finland next Wednesday. STV and Grampian will show extended highlights later that night.

Wednesday 21th July 1999

Gio Van Bronkhurst made sure Ian Ferguson celebrated his testimonial game in style with the winner to sink Sunderland. The Dutch marksmen struck late after linking with Michael Mols, who was making his first appearance in the famous blue shirt at Ibrox. Rod Wallace had giving an early indication of what to expect when he sent a 20-yard drive just wide via the body of defender Paul Butler. Barry Ferguson opened the scoring with a drive on the turn from 18 yards mid-way through the first period. In between, big Niall Quinn had found Chris Lumsden inside the 18-yard box and his drive was blocked for a corner by Arthur Numan. And on 12 minutes Micky Gray sent a 35 yard high ball into the Rangers penalty box which Quinn could only send wide. But Sunderland went behind further when a speculative long ball into the Wearsiders box by Numan put Steve Bould under pressure and he stuck the ball into his own net. After the break, Stefan Klos came to the rescue when he denied Nicky Summerbee by tipping away his attempted chip. Rangers make a double substitution on 59 when Barry Nicholson came on for Dariuz Adamczuk and Jonatan Johansson replaced Jorg Albertz. But it was Van Bronkhurst who rounded off the scoring for Rangers towards the end, the Dutchman started the move, winning the ball in the middle of the park, before finding Mols who fed his team-mate to finish. Team: Klos, Adamczuk, Moore, Wilson, Numan, B.Ferguson, Wallace, I.Ferguson, Mols, Van Bronckhorst, Albertz. Subs: Reyna, Amato, Johansson, Niemi, Nicholson, Porrini, Vidmar. Rangers will play FC Haka in the 2nd Round of Champions League qualifiers. The Finnish side beat HB Torshavn 6-0 in the second leg of their 1st round tie for a convincing 7-1 aggregate win. Tonight's testimonial for Ian Ferguson will be broadcast over the internet on the club's official website. Commentary for the audio webcast will be provided by Tom Millar and Gerry Harte with former Ger Colin Jackson giving analysis.

Tuesday 20th July 1999

Rangers won the last game of their Norwegian tour lastnight. Rosenborg, who are half-way through their season, provided Rangers with the toughest test of the tour and it took a last minute own goal by Lasse Strand to clinch the win. Team : Klos, Porrini(Vidmar), Moore, Amoruso(Wilson), Numan(Nicholson), B Ferguson(I Ferguson), Kanchelskis(Reyna), Van Bronckhorst, Mols(Amato), Wallace, McCann(Albertz)

Monday 19th July 1999

Gordon Durie's double on Saturday against poor opposition has put him back in the frame for a starting berth. Although he's still a bit away from full fitness, the striker was delighted to his the net twice, which is as much as new boy Michael Mols has managed in all his starts so far. Durie hadn't intended to play at the weekend, but coach Advocaat took a chance and was well rewarded, with Gabriel Amato continuing to show the way with a hat-trick, Mols managing a rare strike, Wallace netting once again, and Moore and Van Bronkhurst adding to the 10-1 rout. The only striker missing now is Marco Negri who may play against Rosenborg tonight in the final match abroad. Claudio Reyna has been told he can stay in Scotland rather than play for his country this summer. The American has feared he would be called up to play for the USA in the Confederation Cup in August and may miss his chance of playing against teams in Europe, one of the main reasons he joined Rangers. But his boss Bruce Arena gave him permission to miss out this time, and the player himself said: "I'll be staying in Scotland and won't be going back."

Saturday 17th July 1999

Rangers beat Norwegian side Follese 10-1 in the second match of the pre-season tour. Rangers fell behind early on but Craig Moore equalised and Michael Mols and Giovanni Van Bronckhorst gave Rangers a comfortable lead. Gabriel Amaot added a second half hat-trick with Gordon Durie scoring a double and Rod Wallace and Jonatan Johansson netting a goal each. Rangers play Rosenberg on Monday in the last game of the tour. Rangers boss Dick Advocaat has called for the Scottish top-flight to be expanded to an 18-team league.Advocaat believes the league would benefit if clubs played a greater number of opponents only twice a season: "We play four times a season and with St. Johnstone last season we played them six times. I didn't mind that because we won five of them but seriously, I like the idea of clubs playing 34 games and meeting twice."

Wednesday 14th July 1999

Rangers opened their tour of Norway with a 2-0 win in Sogndal. Rod Wallace and Giovanni Van Bronckhorst scored the goals in the first half. In the Faroe Islands HB Toshavn and Finland's FC Haka drew 1-1 in the 1st leg of their 1st Round European Cup tie. Rangers play the winners in the next round. The Scottish Football League has found a new sponser for the League Cup. The insurance company CIS will sponser the competition for the next 4 seasons.

Monday 12th July 1999

Despite taking the lead in a dour match with St Mirren this evening, Rangers were eventually defeated following a brace from Steve McGarry. Rangers brought back French keeper Lionel Charbonnier for tonight's match and after a slow opening he was called into action in the 19th minute, saving well low to is left from Brown's drive, after the big forward had managed to get away from Moore inside the six yard box. Rangers only real chance in a dour first 45 minutes was a mis-hit Wallace shot, which he blasted over from just three yards out, after clever work from Reyna. An angry Dick Advocaat made his first substitution after just 30 minutes, bringing on Albertz and Amato for McCann and Van Bronkhurst. However, this did little to help a well below par performance and more subs ifollowed in the second half, but they too failed to make a difference. Porrini, Numan, Ian Fergsuon came on for Vidmar, Reyna and Wilson. Albertz almost broke the deadlock with a thunderbolt from 20 yards, but Saints keeper Roy got down to hold it at the second attempt. Mols and Walace didn't look comfortable together up front, with the former Leeds striker dropping back into midfield leaving Amato to lead the line. Albertz again found space on the left, after being set up by Mols, but the keeper saved again. However, the Saints stopper could do nothing to prevent Albertz finally breaking the deadlock towards the end of the match. Wallace made the break into the box, and although he failed to find Amato with his pass, the half hit clearance landed at the left foot of Albertz who drove home from 18 yards, much to the relief of the thousands of supporters who had paid £10 to get in - surely too much for a match that means nothing. That proved to be far from the end of the story though, as poor defending allowed Steve McGarry in to equalise, Craig Moore giving him a gift wihch he took superbly. Then followed a shocker as Sainst piled on the pressure, with Amato handling with just 4 minutes remaining, and the confident McGarry converted from the spot.

Saturday 10th July 1999

Rangers wrapped up what proved to be a comfortable afternoon with a comfortable 4-1 win at Livingston. The Scottish treble-winners dominated much of the proceedings with their pre-season programme now in full swing. A Tony Vidmar hat-trick and Gabriel Amato first-half strike proving decisive. Team : Klos, Porrini, Moore, Wilson, Vidmar, I Ferguson, Reyna, Albertz, Amato, Johansson, Wallace Bench : Mols (s), Numan (s), B Ferguson (s), McCann (s), van Bronckhorst (s) Jonatan Johansson won't be going anywhere after Rangers told English Premiership club Derby County to take their eyes off the Finnish striker. Murray said: "Three months ago we turned down a £2.5M bid from Derby for Jonatan Johansson. There has been further tentative enquiries recently but we have told them we are not interested in selling the player. Dick Advocaat has told Johansson he is a big part of his future plans and that is why we gave him a new improved contract."

Thursday 8th July 1999

Rangers have chosen not to release Tony Vidmar for Australia's two friendlies with Manchester Utd next week.

Wednesday 7th July 1999

Bradford City are reported to be interested in signing Derek McInnes. Motherwell have also been linked to the player, but are unwilling to meet the £500,000 price tag.

Tuesday 6th July 1999

Colin Hendry called a press conference this afternoon, after being told that he is not first choice at the club. But as the 33 year old admitted himself, it is still unclear as to what his future holds. He said: "I don't think I've done anything wrong to find myself in this position. I think it's clear I'm not the boss' first choice." Hendry added: "But he said everybody gets a chance. All I'm aiming for is to get fit. Once I'm fit I'll be aiming to play." Those words do not shed any solid light as regards Hendry's future, and as the player himself admits: "I've no idea what the future holds." Aberdeen assistant manager Tommy Moller-Nielsen today rejected reports the club had made a firm bid for Rangers midfielder Derek McInnes. It was claimed the Dons were locked in a battle with Motherwell for the 28-year-old former Morton playmaker, who has been told he can leave Ibrox. Moller-Nielsen said: "It was inevitable we would be linked with Rangers players because I worked at Ibrox but there is a big difference between wanting players and getting them." Chairman David Murray has vehemently denied reports claiming Rangers have made a move for Youri Djorkaeff. Murray said: "There is no truth whatsoever in these stories. Rangers have not discussed anything with Djorkaeff and the player has certainly not been in either Glasgow or Edinburgh to see us." The Ibrox chairman admitted he was interested in the player last season, but he 'hummed and hawed' and Rangers quickly lost interest.

Monday 5th July 1999

Dick Advocaat has joined his chairman David Murray in slamming the League Cup competition. The fiery Dutchman insisted the tournament has no credibility for top clubs who now face qualification for the Champions' League as Scotland's rankings are so low. He said following his side's 5-0 closed door win over Stirling Albion on Saturday: "When we are playing our European ties we're stuck with this competition which seems to be played for fun. Why are we having to play so many meaningless games? The League Cup has no value." Motherwell and Aberdeen are locked in a battle for midfielder Derek McInnes. Both clubs have apparently bid the same fee - £300,000 - and Rangers have said no to both. The Ibrox club want £500,000 for the player who signed from Morton and never really made the grade, his only appearance last season being in the Scottish Cup Final against Celtic.

Saturday 3rd July 1999

Michael Mols found the target in his first competitive appearance for Rangers in a behind-doors friendly against Stirling Albion. The Dutch star, who was signed from Utrecht earlier this summer in a £4 million deal, helped his side to a 5-0 victory with his goal. The other goals came from Gabriel Amato, Lorenzo Amoruso, Sergio Porrini and teenager Jimmy Gibson during the closed doors game at the Forthbank Stadium. The Scottish Football League have amended the dates for their domestic Cup competition in an attempt to avoid fixture congestion. SFL secretary Peter Donald said: "We felt it was in the best interests of the sides who are competing in Europe." Scottish League Cup, revised dates: First Round, Sat, Jul 31; Second Round, week commencing August 16; Third Round, w/c October 11; Quarter-Finals, w/c November 29; Semi-Finals Sunday, February 13 and February 15/16. Final: Sunday, March 19.

Friday 2nd July 1999

Rangers latest attempt to sign Hearts player Paul Ritchie has been turned down, and it now looks as though Rangers will turn their attentions elsewhere. Rangers latest bid of a £1million has been rejected by the Hearts board. Chairman David Murray said it would be their final offer and he has now formally withdrawn that offer.