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Saturday 31st March 2001

Another Dundee disaster Rangers suffered their third defeat this month after conceding 2 second half goals to Dundee Utd. Rangers recalled Reyna, Tugay, Albertz, Vidmar and Wallace to the starting line-up, but never treally got going against a well organised and hard working Dundee Utd side.

Friday 30th March 2001

Five back for Saturday The clubs injury problems lightened slightly with the news that 5 players are returning to the squad for tomorrow's clash with Dundee Utd. Jorg Albertz, Tony Vidmar, Rod Wallace, Tugay Kerimoglu and Claudio Reyna are all set to play at least some part in the match against Dundee United at Ibrox. Barry Ferguson is also set to play after missing Scotland's game with San Marino with a rib injury.

Thursday 29th March 2001

Gio may see out his contract - source Giovanni van Bronckhorst insists he has not ruled out the possibility of staying with Rangers until the end of his contract. The Ibrox midfielder has another year to run on his current deal but has already been linked with moves to the Premiership and the continent. He started the season in fine form, scoring for Rangers in Champions League games against Sturm Graz, Monaco and Galatasaray. And despite spending the last seven months sidelined with a groin injury van Bronckhorst's value has soared since his £5million move from Feyenoord in 1998. He admits his future is uncertain but says it is the decision of manager Dick Advocaat and chairman David Murray whether he stays at Ibrox. Van Bronckhorst said: "I need to get fit and hopefully finish the season by helping Rangers to the highest possible place in the league. Then we will see what happens. Of course at the back of the mind there are thoughts of the future. Ultimately it will be the decision of the chairman and the gaffer, who have to decide what is best for the club. I have enjoyed life here and I'm still enjoying it, the injury aside. We have a great life, Rangers is a great club and the people have been fantastic. We have found the Scots really warm - unlike Scotland sometimes. I still have a year to run on my contract and if I'm still with Rangers at the end of that contract, that's fine by me. I honestly don't know at this moment what the future will hold." Van Bronckhorst admits it is flattering to be regarded as good enough to play at that level but insists he has not been in contact with either of the London clubs. He told icons.com: "I read in the paper on Monday that I might be going to Chelsea and yesterday I read that I might be off to Arsenal. It's all a bit confusing. All the time there are different stories in the paper and it's tough for me to keep up with my rumoured transfers. As often happens nobody has come to speak to me about it so I know as much as anyone who has read the papers. There may have been discussions with the club and that's fine because people have the right to ask Rangers about me and Rangers have the right to talk to other clubs. They are my employers. To be honest, at the moment I'm really not thinking about where I might be next season, I'm just trying to get fit enough to play football again. I've been out for seven months now and that's a long time for a player. I want to sort that out first. "Of course it's always flattering when clubs of the calibre of Chelsea and Arsenal are said to be interested in you. Although I've not been able to play for a long time I would like to think people know what I'm capable of."

Tuesday 27th March 2001

Murray denies Fergie transfer rumours Chairman David Murray today dismissed reports of a multi-million pound Chelsea bid for captain Barry Ferguson. He said there was no way the Ibrox club would sell the 23-year-old international midfielder - "our best piece of Scottish talent". Murray was angered over reports that Chelsea had bid £20m for Ferguson and midfield team-mate Gio van Bronckhorst. He said: "Chelsea have certainly not contacted us. But in any case, why would we want to sell Ferguson? He´s the best piece of Scottish talent we have." Van Bronckhorst, he conceded was a different matter. The Dutchman has a year of his contract to run, but is not expected to sign an extension and could eventually walk away for nothing. Murray said: "Whether or not he is sold before then is a matter of choice on both sides." Chelsea are the fourth English club in a fortnight to be linked with Ferguson. However, while it is common knowledge that van Bronckhorst will leave Ibrox this summer, Rangers do not want to lose their skipper. Leeds United, Arsenal and Liverpool have all been linked with Ferguson in recent weeks - but Murray confirmed no bids have been made for the 23-year-old. Ferguson still has five years of his current contract at Ibrox to run. Gers gaffer Dick Advocaat has made his protege at Ibrox captain, and would be totally against selling another influential player in the summer - with Advocaat now resigned to losing van Bronckhorst. He knows he has a huge rebuilding job on his hands and wants to keep players like Ferguson for that task. Rangers cut losses Rangers cut their losses by 30% in the six months leading up to December 31, 2000, according to figures released on Monday. David Murray, chairman of the plc, said in a statement that the retained loss showed an improvement from the previous year from £9,179,000 to £6,416,000. That was taking into account player registration charge, interest, tax and minority interests. Rangers splashed out £12million to bring Tore Andre Flo from Chelsea last November and that is reflected in the figures. The unaudited interim results show a trading loss of £954,000 against a surplus of £112,000 the previous year. Murray said: "The operating expenses increased reflecting the further investment that was made to the playing squad. However the charge for both players registrations and interest payable saw a significant reduction due to player sales and a much improved cash position." The plc's turnover for the six months was £30,171,00 an increase of £371,000 on the previous year.

Saturday 17th March 2001

Gers leave it late Rangers came from behind to beat Motherwell 2-1 at Fir Park thanks to a late goal from Robert Malcolm. Don Goodman gave the home side the lead after only two minutes but Rangers debutant Fabrice Fernandes levelled on 59 minutes, just moments after taking the field as a substitute, and from his late corner Malcolm scored the winner a minute from time. That result lifted second-placed Rangers six points clear of Hibernian, their closest rivals for the runners-up spot.

Wednesday 14th March 2001

Gers suffer Dundee Double After the Cup loss to Dundee Utd on Sunday it was their city rivals Dundee who took the chance top inflict a defeat on Rangers. Rangers coach Advocaat gave a start to former Wimbledon striker Marcus Gayle, with Dundee sticking with their usual partnership of Claudio Caniggia and Juan Sara. It was Caniggia who opened the scoring much to the dismay of the Rangers support inside Ibrox, scoring in the 14th minute as he beat the defence and Stefan Klos. Barry Smith was involved and his cross was met by the Argentinean who scored with the aid of the inside of the post. Marcus Gayle had a number of headers but couldn't get one on target in the first 45. Rangers created nothing from the middle of the pitch, much to the disappointment of the supporters, as Dundee deserved their lead. Early in the second half, Craig Moore, who was booked in the first half, received his second yellow of the evening and was sent off. Tore Andre Flo went close with a header as Dundee continued to look very dangerous on the break, with World Cup star Caniggia always a danger. To add to Rangers misery, Lorenzo Amoruso went off injured and he and Moore will miss Saturday's trip to face Motherwell. Dundee scored their second when young Steven Milne headed past Klos after he fumbled to addto Rangers disastrous season.

Tuesday 13th March 2001

Advocaat refuses to panic Dick Advocaat insisted there was no need to press the panic button in the wake of the latest hammer blow to wreck a troubled season. Sunday's Scottish Cup defeat at Dundee United means the former champions now have no alternative but to concentrate on the league, starting with Wednesday night's visit of Dundee. Reaching the Champions League by holding off Hibernian for second place is their only realistic goal and Advocaat's stewardship, particularly his transfer track record, has come under intense scrutiny over the past 48 hours. Despite starting with eight full internationals, the champions, who were also the Cup holders, failed to muster a single shot on target at Tannadice, and were eliminated with barely a whimper. But the Dutchman, who has spent £30million on new players since clinching last season's title by a 21-point margin, insisted his shoulders were broad enough to take the flak. He said: "That is part of my responsibility. I don't hide myself - it's part of my job. We know what we have to do and the players know that as well. Wednesday night they have the chance to show that." Once again, Advocaat pointed to the horrendous injury list at Ibrox as the primary reason why Rangers are facing a bleak, trophy-less season. He barked: "The facts are there. Even a blind man can see it. The supporters are disappointed - that's normal because for the first two seasons under me were quite successful. But that's football - it's up and down. We know what we have to change and next season we have another year to show what we can do. But there is no panic. Other people can panic. When players are out for six to eight weeks then you have got problems." Advocaat has already brought in one new face in Marcus Gayle and last week's £900,000 signing from Wimbledon will make a starting debut tomorrow alongside £12million man Tore Andre Flo. More newcomers have been promised but Advocaat admitted he had been unable to bring in French winger Fabrice Fernandes in time for Wednesday's game. The 21-year-old is keen to come to Ibrox in a deal that would see the Rennes man end a loan spell at Fulham to begin a similar one in a Light Blue shirt. Advocaat said: "We will have to wait and see what happens in the coming days. There is no news and I don't think there is a chance of him coming by tomorrow. We have to concentrate now with the players we have." Fernando Ricksen is banned and young striker Kenny Miller, who was a substitute at Tannadice, drops out because of illness. With 12 players out injured, including Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Advocaat has drafted in teenager Peter Leven into the squad. Advocaat admitted Leven wouldn't be in the squad if other players had been available but insisted he was still a promising youngster. He said: "He has trained many times with the first team already. He is one for the future." Winger Steven Carson had replaced Ricksen at Dundee United and could be set for his first start. Fernandes keen on loan switch Fabrice Fernandes last night agreed to write off a pounds 100,000 pay-day in an attempt to clinch a move to Rangers. Fernandes has made a massive impact at Craven Cottage since moving on loan from Rennes but is desperate to leave after a bitter fall-out with coach Jean Tigana. And he has been so impressed in talks with Rangers chairman David Murray and manager Dick Advocaat that he has agreed to forego the massive promotion pay-packet promised to him by Fulham owner Mohammed Al Fayed. The First Division's runaway leaders almost brought the deal to a halt on Sunday night by insisting they were no longer prepared to honour the agreement. But Fernandes is so eager to move north and use the rest of the season to win a long-term deal at Ibrox that he is willing to make the biggest gamble of his career. He said: "I have spoken to David Murray and Dick Advocaat and they have impressed me very much. I have now set my heart on joining Rangers and I am so determined to make this deal go through I am prepared to forget about the promotion bonus money Fulham owe me. I will not let something like that get in the way of the chance to join such a big club and play for them in the Champions League. It may only be a loan deal until the end of the season but I know when I get up there I will be one of the best players in Scotland. I can convince Rangers the deal should be permanent. If everything goes well then I hope to make my debut on Wednesday night." Belgian target Sven Vermant cleared the way for a summer free transfer to Rangers last night as he rejected the offer a new contract to stay with Bruges. He said: "I'm going out-of-contract in the summer so I have decided not to sign again for Bruges and will consider my options instead. I have not spoken personally to Rangers. I am leaving that to my managers. But the prospect of playing in a team which has 50,000 fans at home games is one which appeals to me. We don't have that in Belgium and joining a club like Rangers is something you dream about as a young boy. I signed for Bruges the year after they met Rangers twice in the Champions League in 1993 and those are moments I can still remember. I am waiting for a concrete offer but very probably I will be going to Scotland."

Friday 9th March 2001

Double loan bid rejected Rangers have failed with loan bids for Aston Villa's French winger David Ginola and Everton midfielder Stephen Hughes. Ibrox boss Dick Advocaat is trying desperately to strengthen his injury-ravaged side by bringing in a couple of players on short-term deals, but his efforts to sign Ginola were turned down flat by Villa boss John Gregory, despite the Frenchman's lack of first-team opportunities at Villa Park at present. Despite Everton being favourable to the loan deal for Stephen Hughes, the player rejected the move perferring a possible permanent move to West Ham Gio to miss Cup tie Giovanni van Bronckhorst won't be risked in Sunday's Scottish Cup tie with Dundee Utd. The Dutchman suffered a groin injury just minutes into his comeback game against Hearts on Saturday. He had been out since October and was crocked by a foul from Colin Cameron, who was later sent off. Van Bronckhorst had hoped to be able to make a quick return, but Advocaat said: "He is not ready and probably also not ready for next Wednesday either. He will start on Monday with some walking or running, and then we will have to see. We have to realise he has been out for a long time, for five months. Fitness-wise he is not on the highest level. We have to wait and see with him. We still have 12 players out. It's still difficult, to be fair. We have the same squad as last week with five players under 21 - but that is also pat of football. Fernando Ricksen will be back because it is a cup game and his suspension is only for the league."

Thursday 8th March 2001

Gayle arrives from Dons Wimbledon forward Marcus Gayle has completed a £1million switch to Glasgow Rangers, the Scottish club's official website has reported. Gayle has completed a medical after arriving at Ibrox last night, and will link up with former Chelsea striker Tore Andre Flo. The 30-year-old, who began his career with Brentford, has not been a regular in the Wimbledon side this season. He made almost 450 appearances during an eight-year spell at Selhurst Park. Gayle revealed that his ex-Dons team-mate John Hartson - whose proposed move to Ibrox fell through following a medical - had urged him to make the move to Scotland. And he added: "To be honest, I'm still in shock - but I'm absolutely delighted to get the chance to represent such a great club. John has told me what a wonderful club this is. He just could not stop talking about how brilliant the whole set-up was. He was a very sad that it didn't work out for him in Glasgow. It's going to be a major change to be playing in front of 50,000 in every home game. However, I have coped with playing in the Premiership and scored goals there. I have watched Rangers on TV and I've seen that Tore Andre has done well. I have been impressed with players like Barry Ferguson, Jorg Albertz and Michael Mols." Advocaat said: "I have to be honest and say that if we didn't have so many injuries there would have been no need for Marcus. But I always like competition in the squad because in my opinion it makes the players stronger and it's up to him to show me he is better than anything else we have. We are very short at the moment with strikers as Rod Wallace, Michael Mols, Ronald de Boer and Neil McCann all out injured so it was very important for us to find someone who could play up front, especially at this stage of the season. I'm just glad David Murray understood that as well. I don't know him that well but I think Chris Sutton is more physical than Marcus. Our scout Ewan Chester has mentioned him before and I've watched him on television a couple of times and that's the reason we brought him in. He's a very good addition to our squad. He's signed for two-and-a-half years so it's certainly a signing for the long term but it's up to him if he wants to be a regular but every football player knows that. I only know him from watching Wimbledon play on television, Ewan Chester is more involved with the English game but we took some other information as well and the feedback was positive." Gio plans shock Cup return Giovanni van Bronckhorst has set his sights on a sensational return in Sunday's Scottish Cup quarter-final clash at Dundee United. The Dutch international midfielder feared his season was over after limping off just 23 minutes into his comeback game against Hearts last Saturday. But the former Feyenoord man is feeling much better now and is hoping he can help his team-mates book their place in the semi-final with a win at Tannadice. Van Bronckhorst said: "A few days have gone by since the tackle that ended my comeback after 20 minutes against Hearts and I'm not feeling too bad. The day after the match, on Sunday, I was feeling really stiff and I couldn't walk properly. I was really worried that all the hard work to get fit again had come to nothing. Luckily, it seems that it hasn't aggravated the old injury and I now have a lot more movement. I ran a bit today and don't feel too bad. It all happened very quickly on Sunday and I didn't know exactly how I got hurt. Probably by tomorrow, when the inflammation will have gone down, I'll know how much damage there is, but the doctors have looked at it and there is no tear or anything. Obviously I'm looking towards the cup game against Dundee United on Sunday and I'll know in the next few days whether I'll be fit enough to play in that. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed."

Tuesday 6th March 2001

Belgian linked Rangers have been linked with a move for Club Brugge midfielder Sven Vermant. The 27 year old Belgian international is out of contract in the summer and would be available under the Bosman ruling. Advocaat watched the player at the weekend and could be about to make a move for the player who has 11 goals from midfield this season. Derby County and Ipswich town are also saod to be interested in the player. Vermant said: "I think that is a very big compliment to me that such clubs should be interested in signing me. But my first obligation is to go into the negotiations for a new contract with Bruges with an open mind and I will do that." McCann to miss rest of season? Rangers winger Neil McCann will travel to Leeds tomorrow to see a specialist regarding a damaged hernia he's currently suffering with. That certainly means he will miss Sunday's crucial Scottish Cup-tie against Dundee United at Tannadice, with Rangers losing more and more first team regulars. The player admitted after discussions with the club doctor, a trip to arrange for a specialist opinion and a possible operation was the best all round, as he's been having to take pain killers before games just to get through the match, which is unsatisfactory as far as all parties are concerned. He'll certainly miss out this weekend's match against Alex Smith's side, who are becoming the bookies favourites as Rangers players drop like flies

Monday 5th March 2001

Advocaat dismisses transfer talk Dick Advocaat today dismissed press reports linking Hibs Ulrik Laursen to Ibrox and captain Barry Ferguson witha move to Leeds. Advocaat told the official Rangers website: "The rumours linking Rangers with a move for Ulrich Laursen are just that – rumours! It is nonsense, we are not interested in him at all. And as for the story which suggested Leeds United were in for Barry Ferguson I certainly don't know anything about it."

Sunday 4th March 2001

Hibee defender linked Press reports this morning have linked Rangers with a £1.5 million summer swoop for Hib's left-back Ulrik Laursen. The Danish defender has impressed Ibrox chief Dick Advocaat since his move to Easter Road in the summer. Now Advocaat is ready to test Hibs' determination to hang on to the 25-year-old left back they picked up for nothing from OB Odense. Advocaat sees Laursen as prioviding quality cover and competition for Arthur Numan. The 31-year-old Dutch World Cup star has been plagued by injuries since he arrived at Ibrox and is likely to miss the rest of the season with a thigh muscle injury. Laursen is six years younger than Numan and is the athletic type of attacking fullback Advocaat wants to strengthen is squad for next season. Gers are ready to tempt Hibs with £1.5million bid for the former Danish under-21 star but Hibs bos Alex McLeish is desperare to hold onto the player he views as a key member of his squad. Match Reaction Tore Andre Flo scored a goal in each half to give Rangers a 2-0 win over Hearts in the Scottish premier league. After the game Flo admitted that he has yet to find his best form since arriving at Ibrox: "I still have some work to do before I am at my best. Everything has been new to me and I have felt a little bit heavy in recent matches. But it's good for me to be playing every week. I am a striker and when you go a couple of matches without playing well you sometimes feel failure in your body. Everything is new to me and I am going through a learning process. No player can live up to the expectation of being a £12m signing. But I didn't do anything about the price. I had nothing to do with that. All I can do is play to the best level I can." Advocaat was pleased to take 3 points from the game saying: "I'm pleased with the result. I think again that at this stage of the competition, with the players we have, we can only put in hard work and that's what we did. We scored two good goals and that was enough. Craig Moore played 80 minutes after a very long time out so in that way I am very pleased to get three points. For the rest, we will have to improve." Speaking of Giovanni van Bronckhorst' new injury scare which cut the players comback to 23 minute Advocaat said: "It's a different injury to the one he had before so we will have to wait until tomorrow. He has stretched his groin. Tomorrow morning he will have to come in."

Friday 2nd March 2001

Team News Rangers have called back Finnish under 21 star Jani Kauppila to face Hearts tomorrow as Dick Advocaat's injury crisis deepens. The player has been away in Spain playing for his country in an under 21 friendly tournament, with Rangers admitting today that they have recalled him ahead of tomorrow's match. There is also the possibility coach Advocaat could recall defender Craig Moore and midfielder Giovanni van Bronckhorst as they are now back in full training. Killie game re-arranged again Rangers and Kilmarnock have been told to play their re-arranged match four days after the Scottish Premier League is due to split in two, Wednesday, April 11. As Aberdeen have been told to end their matches ahead of the split, this decision could be seen as favouritism by the SPL, who explained: "There is a strong possibility that Rangers and Kilmarnock will both be in the top six, and these are exceptional circumstances. As for Aberdeen, the position is that there are enough midweek dates available to handle it. It is not anticipated that we will be scheduling any more games after the split."

Thursday 1st March 2001

Tugay and Reyna join crocked list Rangers have been boosted by confirmation that midfielder Tugay had not suffered a broken ankle on international duty with Turkey. The 30-year-old midfield man was stretchered off during his country's 0-0 friendly draw with Holland on Wednesday, after turning his ankle on the notorious Amsterdam ArenA pitch. At first it was feared he had suffered a fracture but although this is now known not to be the case, he will still miss Saturday's visit of Hearts. Claudio Reyna also picked up a groin injury while playing for USA in a World Cup qualifier and it would be a big surprise if he were to take part in Saturday's game. Tugay arrived back in Glasgow on Thursday for a scan that will show exactly how long he does face on the sidelines. The double injury blow is the latest in a series of setbacks which have dogged Dick Advocaat's plans to retain the Scottish Premier League this season. With Fernando Ricksen banned and Ronald de Boer, Jorg Albertz and Giovanni van Bronckhorst still unavailable, the news has hit the midfield department the hardest.