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Friday 29th March 2002

Hughes in new deal talks Alex McLeish has admitted a new contract for midfielder Stephen Hughes has become a priority. The 19-year-old received his first Scotland call-up for the friendly against France after impressing Berti Vogts in his performances for the Light Blues. Now McLeish is determined to tie the player down to a long-term contract at Ibrox. McLeish told the club's official website, rangers.co.uk: "I am talking with Stephen at the moment. We haven't finalised anything yet but we do want to extend his contract further. "Rangers will announce it when it's all done and dusted but we want to get Stephen's deal sorted out. He is a priority signing for us for now and for the future. We want him to stay at Rangers for a very long time. We see him as vital to the club's future and we must continue bringing young boys like him through the system. Obviously Stephen's great performances haven't gone unnoticed and that's why we want to reward him with a longer contract.I think he has another couple of years left so we're just extending it and Stephen's happy to talk to us. Gers arrange Linfield friendly Rangers have arranged to play Linfield at Windsor Park on July 30 and commercial director Martin Bain said: "It's great that we are taking the first team to Belfast. I recently sat down with Alex McLeish to organise the pre-season itinerary and I stressed to him the importance of the support we have in Northern Ireland. We receive tremendous loyalty and backing from fans over there who have to undertake a lot of travelling to follow the team so this match is for them." Gers to sell before they buy David Murray has told manager Alex McLeish he will need to sell before he can spend money on new stars. The club have announced to the Stock Market a further £13million loss over the last six months - taking total debt soaring to around 30million. That news has prompted Murray to adopt a get-tough policy, and he insists any new arrivals will be funded by the departure of existing players. Murray said: "We have spent £45million over the past 18 months on the training ground, new young players and extending the contracts of experienced people. That sort of level of spending is unsustainable, so from now on Rangers Football Club will not be a net spender. Alex has been told that any money he raises from moving on unwanted players will be made available to him. I have already stated that we do not want to sell Barry Ferguson, but if he decides to leave then he will be replaced with a player of similar quality and value. There is no lack of ambition at Ibrox, but we must be more prudent. Although we are in a good, strong position with our training academy and stadium valued at £70million, the football industry throughout Britain is currently going through a traumatic time."

Thursday 28th March 2002

Wilson heads south on loan Portsmouth have signed Rangers centre-half Scott Wilson on loan until the end of the season. The move, which is subject to international clearance, may become permanent in the summer. Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp said: "He is on a Bosman in the summer and he is worth having a look at. Subject to clearance I want to have a good look at him by playing him in the remaining games."

Thursday 22nd March 2002

PSG: Gers can have Arteta Paris St Germain president Laurent Perpere has told Rangers they can have Mikel Arteta if they want him. The 19-year-old, on loan at PSG from Barcelona until the end of the season, has been the subject of conflicting transfer stories this week. The Ibrox club claimed to have agreed a fee - reportedly £6million - with Barca for the Spain Under-21 international. However, the Catalans have declined to confirm the story while PSG had first refusal on the midfielder until the end of April. But Perpere, responding to claims that Arteta has been offered wages of over £35,000 a week, insisted he does not want the 19-year-old to stay at the Parc des Princes if he would rather be elsewhere. Perpere told L'Equipe: "If Rangers have really offered him £150,000 per month, then I am glad for him. But here in PSG we are not going to endanger the future of the club by starting to bid higher. Our sporting project and the exciting side of PSG will attract other talented players." Early Cup Semi team news Alex McLeish could see four players return for Sunday's Scottish Cup semi-final against Partick Thistle. Fernando Ricksen's suspension does not apply to the cup competition so he is eligible to play and Tony Vidmar and Tore Andre Flo (twisted ankle) return from injury. Shota Arveladze could play, after recovering from a leg injury, but Ronald de Boer is not yet fit enough to take part, following a calf strain.

Wednesday 20th March 2002

Barca deny Arteta reports Barcelona have denied claims by Rangers that the sale of Spain Under-21s international Mikel Arteta has been agreed. The player's agent also insisted the midfielder is not yet definitely Ibrox-bound. Ibrox boss Alex McLeish announced on Tuesday that the Catalan giants had accepted an offer, reportedly worth £6million, for the midfielder. But Paris St Germain, the club where Arteta is on loan, still believe they have first refusal on Arteta. A Barca spokesman said: "We can only say that there has been contact with Rangers. He is with Paris St Germain until the end of the season, and then we'll see what happens. We can't make anything official nor can we support or deny anything." Arteta's agent Miguel Santos was clear that the 19-year-old had still to put pen to paper. He said: "Arteta has not signed for anybody. Barcelona are still the first option, and if they are not counting on him there then we'll see what happens." The news that Arteta was set to join Rangers came as a surprise to PSG president Laurent Perpere, who believed his club had first refusal on the Spaniard until the end of April. He told the club's official website: "I am very surprised to find out that Arteta, who was loaned to us by Barcelona this campaign, has signed a contract linking him to Glasgow. PSG has an exclusivity clause until the end of April 2002, which means that Barcelona cannot have signed any agreement with the Scottish side." Arteta has played 27 games for PSG - the team Rangers beat on penalties in the UEFA Cup third round - and coach Luis Fernandez has already made it clear he wants him to stay at the Parc des Princes.

Tuesday 19th March 2002

Arteta signs up Rangers today completed the £6m signing of Spanish midfield star Mikel Arteta. And delighted Ibrox boss Alex McLeish declared: "Our fans will love him!" The 19-year-old Barcelona player becomes McLeish's first signing since he took over from Dick Advocaat last December, and will arrive in Scotland at the end of June in time for next season. Arteta had been on loan to French side PSG for over a year, but Rangers stepped in quickly to agree a deal with the Spanish giants. Personal terms were then finally agreed last night in Paris after further meetings with Rangers' Finance Director Douglas Odam. McLeish admitted Rangers had tracked the 6ft midfielder since he stared against the club for PSG in the Uefa Cup third round ties just before Christmas. The Gers boss said: "Mikel is an excellent young player and I'm sure he is someone who will really excite the Rangers fans. The club has been aware of him since the Uefa ties with PSG. He played excellently in both legs against Rangers and we have been monitoring him ever since. Dick Advocaat and I went to his home town of San Sebastian some weeks ago to talk with his agents and I'm thrilled to have finally completed the deal. He comes from a great stable in Barcelona. Everyone can see the quality of La Liga and he is a prime example of the talent on show in Spain every week. I think the fans will see a class act when he pulls on a Rangers jersey next season. He is very comfortable on the ball and he has an excellent touch, and the great thing is his best years are still ahead of him. The other great benefit is that Mikel is under-21 and will fill one of the two slots we are required to have under SPL rules." Arteta has been one of the hottest prospects in Spanish football for some time. He played 26 games and scored once for the Barca reserve side two seasons and was then loaned to PSG towards the end of last season. McLeish added: "We are very aware of the need to bring top quality players to come to Ibrox and I think Mikel certainly comes into that category. We are, of course, working on a number of other deals and if everything goes to plan then I feel we will have a very good base to work from. But you can never expect every potential signing to come off. I think the signing of Mikel is also indication that we are investing for the future when you consider we already have good young players at the club like Stephen Hughes."

Sunday 17th March 2002

Gers secure Trophy 101 Rangers picked up their first piece of silverware under Alex McLeish, their 101st major trophy, with an easy CIS Cup final victory over First Division Ayr United at Hampden. Gers keeper Stefan Klos had to look lively to deny Brian McLaughlin and Pat McGinlay before Tore Andre Flo hit a fine opener a minute before the break. Barry Ferguson doubled the lead from the spot (49) before Claudio Caniggia bagged an excellent late brace (75,90).

Saturday 16th March 2002

McLeish warns Gers Alex McLeish has slapped a 'no showboating' ban on his players ahead of the CIS Insurance Cup final with Ayr United. The last time Rangers played the First Division underdogs, in the Scottish Cup semis two seasons ago, winger Andrei Kanchelskis showed off by standing with both feet on the ball and giving a cocky salute during a 7-0 romp. But McLeish has told his players not to underestimate Gordon Dalziel's battlers for a second as Rangers attempt to lift their first trophy since going on to win the Scottish Cup two years ago. Rangers are huge favourites to do so - 6/1 on with the bookies, who make Ayr 11/1 outsiders - but the reasons behind McLeish's reasoning is clear. Ayr have already claimed the scalps of Kilmarnock, Dunfermline and Hibernian in the two cup competitions and have already booked a Scottish Cup semi-final place with Celtic later in the month. Rangers, on the other hand, were held to an embarrassing 0-0 draw at part-timers Berwick Rangers in the Scottish Cup and struggled to see off Ross County in the CIS. McLeish confirmed his players had been warned against complacency on the field. He said: "You can only talk to the players about that and I hope that they have noted the scalps that Ayr United have taken. If individuals go into the game thinking they can take lots of touches and win it on their own then there is a problem." McLeish's predecessor Dick Advocaat was a stern critic of the league cup, arguing that its lack of a European qualification place meant it was merely clogging up further an already-congested fixture programme. But McLeish insisted victory tomorrow would instantly qualify as one of the highlights of his career. He said: "I am looking forward to it as a manager and if we do win it would be right up there with all my achievements. I tasted defeat in a final last season with Hibs and I didn't like it regardless of us being underdogs." Ronald de Boer and Craig Moore are the only absentees through injury, although captain Barry Ferguson will take another pain-killing injection to play despite his damaged ribs. McLeish said the task of telling players they were to miss out was one he was prepared to undertake. He said: "I have had to do it many times already this season, to guys who played in one game and were not even in the squad for the next. It must be hard to take but I am here to make those decisions. I see it as a necessity and part of the job." Young defender Maurice Ross and striker Michael Mols look the most likely to miss the cut. Goalkeeper Stefan Klos was keen to resume the trophy-winning days that were a commonplace when he first joined the club from Borussia Dortmund in 1998. But the German knows from his time with the former Champions League winners that cup shocks can happen to the biggest teams. Dortmund were humiliated in the German Cup by amateurs Eintracht Trier when they were reigning European champions and had previously been dumped out of the same competition by a Second Division side. He said: "I have been involved in a few major cup upsets and it is not a nice experience. Over there it happens quite often. You have an empty feeling inside when it happens and I don't want to feel like that this time. Whatever people may think, these games are never easy for the bigger club."

Thursday 14th March 2002

Gers and PSG in moves for Arteta Alex McLeish admits the Ibrox side are behind Paris St Germain in the queue for the signature of Mikel Arteta. The highly-rated Spanish midfielder - currently on loan at the French side - has already stated his desire to join Rangers and hopes to complete the £6million move by the end of the month. But PSG coach Luis Fernandez is believed to be keen to make the under-21 international's stay in Paris more permanent. And McLeish admits the French side will have the option to sign Arteta if they are willing to match Barcelona's asking price. He said: "Arteta is just a player who we like but we know we are definitely behind PSG because they have first choice for the player. He is one of a number of players we like. I won't commit myself at all until anything is 100 per cent regarding any player. I've been stung before so I won't commit until it's signed." McLeish insists the arrival of Arteta would not affect the future of captain Barry Ferguson. Ferguson has long been linked with a move to the Premiership and the Rangers manager admits he understands the desire of players to perform on a bigger stage. But McLeish remains hopeful Ferguson will be content to remain in the south side of Glasgow for the time being. He added: "Barry's future will take care of itself when that time comes - there is nothing in terms of Arteta or anything else. I can understand it. I read somewhere a statement Peter Schmeichel made that he sees the English league as being the best league in the world. It's got to be attractive to players outside the Premiership and players like Barry probably read that. But I hope he feels he has more to achieve at Rangers. I'm not fed up hearing about it because it goes with the territory and I'm not surprised Barry has received a lot of plaudits. I'm sure when he goes the time will be right for him and for Rangers. He might never leave and that would suit me just fine." Rangers swoop awards double Rangers have swept the board in the latest Bank of Scotland awards. McLeish picked up the Bank of Scotland manager of the month award for February and Ferguson was named player of the month. The Rangers boss believes his skipper has matured in recent months - both as a player and as a person. McLeish said: "He has been a fantastic player for us over the last couple of months. He's maturing as well - he has hit a period when he is coping with external pressure. He has shown great maturity and, in recent months, he has been brilliant. At times when you wonder if a player will react in a certain situation - he has been the opposite." He added: "I sometimes think it's easier for the Rangers or Celtic managers to be awarded because of the strength of their teams but it's a great honour to receive it." No return for Smith Chairman David Murray has denied there is a job waiting at Ibrox for sacked Everton boss Walter Smith. Smith, who was the Rangers manager for the majority of their nine successive championship wins, had been touted as the next director of football at the club. Some reports suggested that the present incumbent, Dick Advocaat, would be keen to step down to spend more time on his other job, managing the Holland national team. Murray said: "Personally I was very disappointed to hear what happened to Walter at Everton but it is simply not true to suggest that we are bringing him back here."

Monday 11th March 2002

Shota wants Barry to stay Shota Arveladze has admitted he would be delighted if the transfer speculation surrounding captain Barry Ferguson failed to become reality. It would be no great surprise if the Scotland international did leave Ibrox in the summer, so strong are the rumours that he is bound for the English Premiership. Liverpool, Arsenal, Leeds and now Fulham are all said to be keen to sign a player who is rated in or around the seven-figure bracket. Ferguson, who has injured ribs, took a pain-killing injection to help his side come back from a goal down to draw 1-1 with Celtic on Sunday. The captain almost won it for his side but was twice denied by saves from his Scotland team-mate Rob Douglas late on. Arveladze, who replaced Claudio Caniggia at half-time, was also foiled by Douglas at the death and declared he would love to be playing alongside Ferguson next season. He said: "It is a simple question I think. Everybody needs the great and good players in the team so I would be happy if he stayed. But it is not my decision." United interested in duo Dundee United manager Alex Smith admits he is interested in Rangers' defensive duo Robert Malcolm and Scott Wilson. Despite making nine first-team appearances last season, Scotland U21 ace Malcolm fell foul of former Rangers boss Dick Advocaat and has failed to force his way into Alex McLeish's side. Smith said: "Nothing has happened with him - yet. But he is one of a few players we are interested in." Wilson, too, has failed to command a regular place in the starting line-up at Ibrox. But Smith believes a number of teams will be vying for the player's signature. He added: "He is a possible target for a lot of people. He's not really been in the first team and he becomes available at the end of the season. We are always interested in good players."

Saturday 9th March 2002

Pre-match comments from McLeish Rangers manager Alex McLeish reckons pure adrenaline will help captain Barry Ferguson lead his troops through another Old Firm battle. Ferguson is one of three injury doubts ahead of an Ibrox derby that has already seen Ronald de Boer and Michael Mols forced to pull out. Ferguson fractured a rib in the first leg of his side's UEFA Cup first leg clash with Feyenoord and is set to take a pain-killing injection to play. The midfielder needed one for the second leg of the UEFA Cup tie, and was outstanding on the night although his side lost. But McLeish insisted Ferguson's damaged body was already gearing itself up for an eventful 90 minutes He said: "He plays on adrenaline, Barry, and I'm sure he will have plenty for this game. He has had a week for it to settle down a wee bit and we hope that helps but I know from personal experience that rib injuries are very painful." Rangers can cut Celtic's lead at the top to seven points with victory on Sunday lunchtime and another three points will be up for grabs towards the end of the season when the two sides meet again at Parkhead. But Celtic need just four wins to clinch the championship and will have six non-derby chances to collect them. McLeish said: "It would make it more interesting (if we won). I would still say that Celtic are too good to throw away a seven-point lead. We have got to win the game anyway - and that is easier said than done against a team of Celtic's quality." Ferguson and fellow midfielder Bert Konterman are set to play despite injury, with the Dutchman suffering from an injured toe. The same applies to striker Shota Arveladze, who was hurt scoring against Forfar in the Scottish Cup last month but Maurice Ross looks like missing out along with Mols and de Boer

Thursday 7th March 2002

Rangers move for Russian Rangers have confirmed they have applied for a work permit for Russia international defender Yuri Nikiforov. The 31-year-old is available on a free transfer from PSV Eindhoven in the summer. But Rangers manager Alex McLeish insisted the deal was nowhere near completion. He said: "All we are doing is being professional and applying for a work permit before we even talk to the player. The deal is not set in stone. There is a long way to go on it. We need to be sure we are successful with the application first. He will have other options as well. There is a long, long way to go on it." Nikiforov has been at PSV for four seasons and is a former Sporting Gijon, Spartak Moscow and Dinamo Kiev player.

Wednesday 6th March 2002

Saints team news Keigan Parker's sending off at Hibernian on Saturday means the St Johnstone striker misses the SPL clash with Rangers through suspension. Striker Sammy Youssef is out with a groin injury, while Saints skipper Jim Weir is doubtful with a calf problem. Rangers look set to be without Ronald de Boer, Michael Mols and Maurice Ross, and striker Shota Arveladze is rated doubtful for the trip to Perth. McLeish plays down Fergie rumours Alex McLeish has moved to quash speculation that captain Barry Ferguson is on the brink of a move out of Ibrox. Ferguson - who was rated at £12million by previous manager Dick Advocaat - has been linked with an imminent move to the FA Barclaycard Premiership, with Liverpool said to be the suitors prepared to pay big money to sign him. But McLeish insisted no approach had been made by any club and that he expects the midfielder, who has also been linked with Leeds and Arsenal, to remain at the club until the end of the season at least. He said: "You can never say never about anything but nothing has been decreed at this club player-wise, either coming in or going out. It wouldn't surprise me if he is attracting interest from big clubs but this is a huge club as well. I've heard it said that he should leave the goldfish bowl but he's playing some wonderful football just now and I think he's very happy. It doesn't surprise me if big clubs in Europe and England are having a look at Barry and are considering him - but I am sure he would cost a lot of money. We have got loads of important games, there is silverware to be won and I'm sure Barry Ferguson would love to be lifting silverware as captain of this club. As I said before, you can never say never about anything but right now I think he is very happy." Ferguson is currently sidelined with a rib injury and McLeish's first priority is to get him back again in time for Sunday's Old Firm derby at Ibrox. McLeish said: "He has been immense, not only in terms of skill levels but application and commitment. He's looking very fit at the moment, although he has taken a knock in the ribs which kept him out of the Dundee United game. His fitness levels are of a very high standard so he has shown he is really focused as the Rangers captain."

Tuesday 5th March 2002

Partick in the Scottish Cup Partick Thistle booked their place in the Scottish Cup Semi-Final with Rangers after a 1-0 win against Inverness Caledonian Thistle tonight.

Sunday 3rd March 2002

Savage links himself with Ibrox move Leicester midfielder Robbie Savage has revealed he would love to sign for Rangers. The Filbert Street side are rooted to the bottom of the Barclaycard Premiership and face the real prospect of playing in the Nationwide First Division next season. At 27, Savage believes he still has plenty to offer at a high level and is hoping Ibrox boss Alex McLeish makes a bid to bring him to the south side of Glasgow. Savage told the News of the World: "Rangers are a massive club and I'd fancy a bit of that. It's always been an ambition of mine to play in an Old Firm game one day. There has been speculation about me signing for Rangers a few times in the past and I'd love it to come to something one day. I'm only 27 so I haven't given up on it. I still have plenty of time to fulfil my ambition." Nerlinger set for return Forgotten man Christian Nerlinger could be set for a return to the squad for today's game at Dundee Utd. The German midfielder has played just three games for the Ibrox side following his transfer from Borussia Dortmund as he picked up a serious foot injury against NK Maribor in a Champions League qualifier in August. Nerlinger had looked impressive against Aberdeen and in an earlier game against Maribor and scored on both his Scottish Premier League and European debuts for Rangers. But his injury has required months of treatment and he was eventually forced to go under the knife in the United States in a bid to win his battle back to fitness. He has played 60 minutes with the under-21s but injuries to other team members mean McLeish may be forced to pitch Nerlinger into the squad for Sunday's trip to Tannadice. McLeish said: "The good news is that Christian Nerlinger is looking likely to come back into the squad in the scheme of things, if not quite the starting line-up at the minute. For Sunday, I'll have to see the injuries and how many we're going to miss but Christian is a definite consideration for Sunday's game." Killie match moved Rangers match with Kilmarnock scheduled for Saturday 23rd March has been moved back to Wednes 20th March with a 7.45pm kickoff, due to Rangers involvement in the Scottish Cup on Sunday 24th March