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Thursday 31st May 2001

SKY games moved to Saturdays The Scottish Premier League have been given the go-ahead to move their live Sky Sports matches to Saturday night and scrap the Sunday night kick-off time of 6.05pm. From the start of next season, top Premier League matches will be screened live with a 5.35pm kick-off. The switch has been supported by all 12 SPL clubs and in particular the Old Firm, who were the staunchest opponents to Sunday night games as it interferred with their preparation for European games. Rangers secretary Campbell Ogilvie said: "Although we were party to the initial decision to introduce the Sunday 6.05pm kick-off, we thoroughly appreciate the efforts of the SPL and BSkyB to bring back Saturday football, which, having spoken to a large cross section of supporters, is definitely the favoured option. This move will also be of benefit on the football side as teams competing in the Champions League midweek will have an extra day of recovery and preparation." The SPL considered switching the live games to a Friday night and to a different time on Sunday, but after extensive market research among the fans it was decided to move the Sky matches to a 5.35pm slot on a Saturday night. SPL chief executive Roger Mitchell said: "We're delighted to be bringing back Saturday football and are sure it'll prove to be a real winner with fans and players alike. We worked together with market researchers and BSkyB to evaluate five potential kick-off times before arriving at the new slot. The avenues explored included the trailed Friday night football and a range of Sunday kick-off times. However, there's already a surfeit of Sunday football on television and the strong consensus supported a return to Saturdays. This gives people what they really want to see - Saturday football - and it's as close to the traditional 3pm slot as possible, which we're sure will prove popular with everyone concerned." SPL title sponsor, the Bank of Scotland, is also fully behind the move as well and the new kick-off times will come into effect from July 28 next season. Old Firms games shown on SKY will remain on Sundays with a 1pm kickoff.

Wednesday 30th May 2001

Murray dismisses Ferrari link David Murray has denied press reports linking the club with Internazionale defender Matteo Ferrari. Ferrari's agent Mauro Gasperini has claimed that Rangers along with Spurs and Fiorentina were interested in the 21 year old defender who has spent 5 years with the Milan club. But Murray rubbished the link telling rangers.co.uk: :"I can categorically state that we have not made any inquiry or approach for this player. It is simply mischief-making by the agent. Lists of numerous players are compiled and sent round a number of clubs on a regular basis and this is all that has happened here." Brown moves to Motherwell Mark Brown has signed for Billy Davies' Motherwell after being released by Rangers. Brown faced an almost impossible task of winning a first team place ahead of German star Stefan Klos and Danish international Jesper Christiansen, and will now battle for a first team berth with new Motherwell number one Steve Woods who has also just signed a recent deal to remain at Fir Park. Brown has signed a three-year deal, and will prove to be an excellent acquisition for Davies who had been looking to strengthen that particular area. Davies said: "I am delighted to get him as there had been a lot of interest in the player from down south." Tugay faces permit delay Tugay faces a month-long sweat before discovering if his £1.3million move to Blackburn Rovers can go ahead. Rovers have confirmed they had only just applied for the work permit that is crucial to the move's completion. The Turk is desperate to link up again with former Rangers boss Graeme Souness, who was his manager at Galatasaray. A fee has been agreed with the Glasgow club but the move cannot be completed until the work permit is granted. That decision will be made by Department for Education and Employment officials, who said on Wednesday it could take up a month to be considered

Sunday 27th May 2001

Rangers Legends win in Belfast Mark Walters stole the show in Belfast on Saturday with two goals as the Rangers Legends side put on a stylish show for a Belfast crowd of over 7,000 people. A large number of Rangers fans crossed the Irish Sea for the match and their trip was made worthwhile as their former Ibrox heroes put on a display of class against a Linfield team made up of heroes of the past and present. It was Ian McCall who started the ball rolling in the thirteenth minute by controlling and steadying himself before shooting into the bottom corner of the net from 25 yards. Walters then showed the type of wing play that won him a place in the hearts of the Ibrox faithful in the late eighties and early nineties four minutes later to set up the second goal. He fed Robert Prytz who played the ball through to Davie Dodds to score from 12 yards out. The second half started with the man they had all come to see scoing from the penalty spot. Not Walters, nor Ally McCoist who had a prior engagement, it was none other than goalkeeper Andy Goram. Linfield captain William Murphy fouled Frazer Wishart and Goram sent his spot-kick into the top corner, as well taken as any that have been sent past him in years gone by. Midway throught the second-half Walters started his show, breaking through on his own to slot the ball through the goalkeepers legs to make it 4-0. Rangers reserve striker Lee Fenney turned out for Linfield and he had a hand in the Linfield comeback, finding current Linfield striker David Larmour, but as he tried to round Goram he was blocked, the ball then ran to ex-Raith Rovers and Dunfermline midfielder Norman Kelly and he slotted the ball into the empty net. Linfield's second came after some great wing play of their own. Billy Murray skipped through three challenges and crossed for David Nixon to head home. The Rangers Legends then netted twice in the closing minutes to round off proceedings. First Walters with another break on his own, cutting in from the left to shoot home and then Wishart finding himself with the time and space to make it half a dozen. Rangers team: Andy Goram, Frazer Wishart, David McPherson, John McClelland, Ally Dawson, Jimmy Nicholl, Robert Prytz, Bobby Russell, Ian McCall, Davie Dodds, Mark Walters. Subs: John McGregor, John Brown, Graham Roberts. Porrini and Wallace exit Ibrox Quiet man Sergio Porrini slipped away from Ibrox after last weekends game with Hibs. The former Juventus full-back said he was sad not to have had the opportunity of saying goodbye to the Rangers supporters as Jorg Albertz and Tugay managed in the final game of the season against Hibs. He said: "It was an emotional moment for me when I left Ibrox for the final time. I was disappointed not to feature in the squad for the Hibs game as it would have been nice to say goodbye to the supporters. However, maybe it was better that way. I'm a private person and I'm quite glad there wasn't a big fuss. Unfortunately, I couldn't go out on a winning note although I will always remember my time in Glasgow in a positive way." Meanwhile Rod Wallace has also quit Ibrox and is reportedly a target of Charlton, Blackburn Rovers, Middlesbrough and West Ham. The Lewisham-born striker has rejected an offer from Rangers chairman David Murray of £16,000 a week, and his contract has now ended. The 31-year-old player has remained silent on why he has chosen to reject the new deal, and now the four Premiership clubs could be set to open talks with the former Leeds and Southampton forward.

Thursday 24th May 2001

The 'Hammer' departs Hamburg have completed the signing of Jorg Albertz from Rangers for a club record £3million fee. The German midfielder has signed a three-year contract with the Bundesliga club after five years at Ibrox. The clubs had appeared to be deadlocked over the fee for Albertz, nicknamed 'The Hammer' for his prodigious shooting ability, but have finally come to an agreement. He joined Rangers for £4million and was a member of three championship-winning sides. He was named Scottish player of the month on Wednesday, but for much of the season his first-team opportunities have been limited, prompting him to look for a new club. Hamburg sporting director Holger Hieronymus said: "I am happy that we have come to the end of lengthy and tough negotiations. And I am sure that Jorg can help the team." Albertz insists that his decision to leave Rangers was one of the hardest he has had to make. The 30-year-old takes a suitcase full of medals with him from his time in Glasgow. The German was adamant that his recent split from long-term girlfriend Tanya and the health of his father, Reiner, had no bearing on his decision to leave. Albertz\ said: "It is not an easy decision for me - it was one of the hardest I have had to make in my life so far. I have been on the front and back pages this week, which was very nice. But this is my personal life and you don't want people taking pictures of you. I am a human being as well and I want to keep my private life to myself. It has been very emotional but I have never said I want to leave the club because I don't like the club any longer. Other things were going on behind the scenes I can't and won't accept because I'm 30 years of age and I'm not a wee boy. I made up my mind and, if the deal is done, I am going but, if the deal fell through, I would be quite happy to stay. The gaffer has never had a problem with me and just sent me out to Germany to see my father if I wanted to. He has done everything to allow me to do that so that is all nonsense. But I don't want to talk about these things because I'm not the sort of person who wants to make bad stories about other people. I have made up my mind and hopefully everyone will accept it. "I feel sorry for leaving the club. I feel sorry for the supporters and myself but that is the decision. Sometimes you have to make decisions in your life. Whether you like them or you don't like them, you still have to make them." Albertz refused to support Tugay Kerimoglu's assertion that the Rangers dressing room was split last season. Albertz added: "To be honest, I don't have any problems with any players whether they are Dutch, German or Italian. I don't have one problem with any of the players. If Tugay is saying he had problems with the players, there might be some problems for him.I got on very well with Tugay - he was one of the closest friends I had here. It was very disappointing for him that he couldn't get a spell in the team and that is why he made the decision as well. We have got six Dutch players in the team right now and it is nothing to do with it. It has nothing to do with the bad season we have had. We had a bad season in Walter Smith's last year and I didn't want to leave then. It is for personal reasons. I don't want to talk about any other players or anyone at the club here. I'm not the sort of person who looks for excuses. I made my decision and I hope everyone accepts it. If there is interest there from other clubs, and it is a good club, then you have talks about it. If the club have got the money to buy you and they agree a fee with a club then that happens in football. That is the way decisions are made. I don't think Giovanni (van Bronckhorst) is too happy to leave here but if the deal is done with Chelsea then he will go as well."

Tuesday 22nd May 2001

Gers should gain Champions League seeding Rangers could avoid the heavyweights of Europe in the third qualifying round of the Champions League. UEFA have still to confirm the format because there are many leagues in Europe unresolved. But assuming Rangers avoid defeat in their second qualifying tie they are likely to be among 16 seeds - which may include Juventus, Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen, Dynamo Kiev, Galatasaray and Porto. Rangers director and secretary Campbell Ogilvie said: "Although it has still to be confirmed and we still have a difficult task in getting through to the third qualifying phase, if we get there it seems likely we will be seeded and that is a great boost. It happened to us last year when we just made it in 16th place. This time we should make it again into the top 16 and that means the club will avoid some of the bigger teams. I have to stress, however, that we still have a difficult hurdle to overcome to get there. We will be seeded in the second qualifying phase, but we could still land a difficult team and, equally importantly, we could face travel to a difficult venue where climate may also be a problem." Chelsea cool Gio interest Chelsea have revealed that their interest in Rangers star Giovanni van Bronckhorst is dead after the Glasgow outfit rejected their offer. It had been claimed van Bronckhorst was set to follow Marseille's former France Under-21 defender William Gallas to the club, as Blues boss Claudio Ranieri begins rebuilding his Stamford Bridge squad over the summer. Last week the departure of the tricky Dutchman from Ibrox was all but confirmed by his Gers team-mate Arthur Numan, who said: "It is almost definite Gio will sign for Chelsea." But according to Chelsea's managing director Colin Hutchinson the deal has fallen through after the SPL club's chairman David Murray rejected Chelsea's bid. Hutchinson told the London Evening Standard: "There is no truth in reports we have agreed a deal for him. We did make an enquiry to Rangers and I spoke with David Murray. But he did not accept the bid I made (Thought to be around £6 million) and that is the end of it."

Monday 21st May 2001

Hamburg confident of 'Hammer' deal Hamburg are confident of clinching the signing of Jorg Albertz within days - despite stalling on Rangers' £3million valuation of the midfielder. The German international bid a tearful farewell to the adoring Ibrox faithful on Sunday with a goal in his side's 4-0 victory over Hibernian. A spokesman for Hamburg said on Monday: "It's just speculation at the moment. We've not done a deal with the Glasgow club yet. But I can confirm that we are interested, even though the player is still under contract at Glasgow Rangers. We know the player is interested in coming back to Hamburg, but Rangers are wanting too much money for him. They want around 9million DM (£2.8million) for him, but we believe that is a little excessive." But despite baulking on the asking price, the Bundesliga outfit remain optimistic that the clubs can come to an agreement within a matter of hours. Hamburg director Hieron Ymus said: "We haven't had contact with Glasgow Rangers this week, but we are interested in signing the player. We know the player quite well and we have been in contact with the club. They know we are interested in bringing the player back. We haven't spoken to them today, but we were in contact with them last week and talks went okay. We are working to find an agreement and hopefully we can find a solution in the next few days. This sort of situation is normal when a club has a player with two years on his contract and another club are looking to sign him. They have some ideas as to what the fee should be and the clubs have to find a solution." Ymus insists that the German international has set his heart on a return to his former club after a memorable spell at Ibrox. Hamburg have had a disappointing season and the club are preparing to give Albertz a welcome home party to remember should the deal go through. Ymus added: "I think the main thing is that the player has prepared himself to come back to this club. He's had five very successful years in Scotland and for a few reasons, that I can't go into, he wants to come back here. So what can you do? We will try our best and hopefully Rangers will move a little to let his dream come true. He played for Hamburg for a few years and had a special time before he went to Scotland and he still has a lot of friends and fans at Hamburg. He is loved here and he knows we would like to have the player back and hopefully the clubs can still come together."

Sunday 20th May 2001

Advocaat's reaction Dick Advocaat was happy with the performance during today's game saying: "I'm very pleased in the final game with the commitment and 13 goals in three games is not that bad. I was very pleased at the end with the performance." On the subject of transfers Advocaat insisted that the transfers of Jorg Albertz and Tugay were by no means completed despite the players' emotional lap of honour in waving the Ibrox crowd goodbye. Hamburg are expected to make an official move for Albertz early this week while Blackburn are on the verge of securing the services of the Turk. Advocaat said: "So far we have to wait and see what will happen because nothing has changed. We have had not offers from other clubs, Albertz is still a Rangers player like Tugay and all the others." Rangers finish on a high Ronald De Boer scored twice as Rangers finished the season on a high note with a comfortable win over third placed Hibernian at Ibrox. With Hibernian preparing for their Cup final showdown with Celtic next week, Rangers were always in command and the Dutch international struck in each half to add to an opener from the penalty spot by Jorg Albertz. Dick Advocaat's side then concluded the scoring in injury time when defender Tony Vidmar added a fourth goal. Rangers fans feared that this would be their last glimpse of German international Albertz, but he gave them a probable farewell present with an early goal. Goalkeeper Nick Colgan's 12th minute trip on De Boer led to a penalty, which Albertz despatched with his usual confidence. Colgan redeemed himself with a flying save to deny a powerful free-kick from Lorenzo Amoruso, but he was unable to prevent De Boer adding a second in the 34th minute. Albertz fed a neat ball through a static defence to Rod Wallace who drew Colgan before squaring the ball for De Boer to tap into an empty net. De Boer then added a stunning third, controlling Amoruso's cross on his chest, before turning and firing a volley beyond the helpless Colgan. With Hibs beaten, Advocaat sent on Giovanni van Bronckhorst in place of De Boer, mindful that the De Boer's fellow Dutch international might also be making his farewell appearance for the club. Hibs lost Frank Sauzee late on after a collision with Peter Lovenkrands, making the Frenchman a doubt for next week's cup final, before Vidmar surged into the box to lash in a fourth goal.

Saturday 19th May 2001

Hibernian team news Despite ongoing transfer speculation around Lorenzo Amoruso, Jorg Albertz, Tugay and Giovanni van Bronckhorst all four in the squad for tomorow's final league game with Hibernian. Craig Moore and Claudio Reyna are missing through international duty as are Barry Ferguson (suspension) and Tore Andre Flo (ankle knock). Marcus Gayle returns to the squad after missing the last six games. Probable line up(3-5-2) Klos - Wilson, Konterman, Amoruso - Ricksen, Tugay, van Bronckhorst, Albertz, Numan - Gayle, Wallace No one leaves until DA says Dick Advocaat has insisted that a mass summer exodus from Ibrox is by no means certain. Rangers fans are already worried that the squad will be left severely depleted if key players are allowed to leave. Lorenzo Amoruso has declared he wants to go, the Albertz deal is already underway and Tugay's £1.3million move to Ewood Park is dependent only on the securing of a fresh work permit. Advocaat did admit that haggling over van Bronckhorst's price had already started. But he insisted: "We have signed one player, Caniggia, so far. All the others are still Rangers players. So far we haven't reached agreements with other clubs about players leaving Rangers.'' With Tugay clearly in mind, he added: "If players want to play every week and they have come to a certain age then it's maybe better to find another club. Players have to be happy. Amoruso is the same as the others. Everybody is talking about him leaving, like two years ago, but he is still a Rangers player. So far we have not had an offer for him. Van Bronckhorst is the only one so far that a club has asked for a price. It was refused. No one has come close to matching our valuation. In principle we have agreed the terms with Tugay." Advocaat added: How many players we bring in depends on how many go but it won't be that many." Advocaat also admitted he was looking forward to seeing the back of a troublesome, trophyless season. He said: "I am always glad to see the back of the competition. Even last season when we won things. It is always a very demanding season although it makes life a bit easier if you win. We are all looking forward to a break."

Wednesday 16th May 2001

Murray not forcing Albertz sale David Murray has confirmed that Hamburg have started transfer negotiations for Jorg Albertz, but inssited that the club was not forcing the player out of Ibrox. The cahirman told rangers.co.uk today: "We are categorically not promoting the sale of Jorg Albertz. Jorg spoke to me about a week ago and intimated that eventually he would like to return to Germany, which is understandable all things taken into consideration. That said, if he chose to honour the contract he was more than happy to sign a year ago then we would be pleased. There is absolutely no way we are trying to force Jorg out of the door. However, I have been contacted by his agent so we will see how things develop. I fully understand how the supporters feel about Albertz but when he eventually does leave – hopefully in the long term rather than the short term – he will know that his application and commitment to the club was greatly appreciated " Murray also denied press reports linking Claudio Reyna with a move to Premiership side Sunderland. Tugay's Blackburn deal closer Blackburn are close to signing Turkey midfielder Tugay Kerimoglu in £1.5million deal from rangers. The clubs have agreed a fee, but the transfer now hinges on the Department of Employment granting a work permit to the 30-year-old. Blackburn manager Graeme Souness told the BBC: "We are close to doing a deal with Rangers as we speak. I have worked with Tugay before at Galatasaray and I think he would be a real asset for us." A Blackburn spokesman confirmed: "We are seeking to strengthen our squad as we move up to the Premiership and Graeme Souness is very keen to sign this player." Tuesday 15th May 2001 Caniggia just to sign contract The deal to bring Claudio Caniggia to Ibrox has been finalised and the player will sign for Rangers after Rangers announced today that they had agreed terms with Caniggia, 34, and a transfer fee with Dundee, but the player will not officially sign for Rangers until returning from a family holiday. Caniggia said: "I am grateful to Dundee for giving me the chance to re-establish myself and I enjoyed my time there. The fans were great. I am now looking forward to playing with a big club like Rangers and working with (Rangers manager) Dick Advocaat. I have heard how much atmosphere the Rangers fans can create and look forward to some really big games at Ibrox." Rangers did not disclose the former AS Roma and Boca Juniors striker's length of contract or fee. Media reports suggest he will cost around one million pounds. Caniggia came to Scotland in October 2000 to join Dundee and his seven goals at Dens Park, and general all-round play, convinced Rangers he could aid their Champions League campaign next season. The Argentine also believes that playing for such a high-profile club can help his bid to get back into his national team before next year's World Cup finals. Advocaat said: "Claudio has tremendous experience at the highest level and has shown, both against Rangers and other clubs this season, that he is still very sharp." Monday 14th May 2001 Caniggia deal close Claudio Caniggia was at Ibrox today for talks over his move to Ibrox. The Argentinian striker is reported to have also under gone a medical in a Glasgow hospital. Despite early reports of a transfer fee of around £2 m,illion is is believed that the actual price could be as low as £500,000. Sunday 13th May 2001 Hibs farewell for Amoruso? Lorenzo Amoruso says next Sunday's home game against Hibernian will be his last for the club despite having a year left on his contract. The 30-year-old Italian was quoted as saying in a sunday newspaper: "It is the end for me at Rangers. I still have another year left on my contract, but I will not be back in Glasgow next season. The club have made it clear that they are ready to let me leave and I want to go. The game against Hibs will be my last. Some fans will be happy to see me go and they are entitled to their opinion. But many others have asked me to stay, telling me I am still one of the club's best defenders." Amoruso, who joined Rangers from Serie A side Fiorentina in 1997, has recently had a mixed reception from the Scottish club's fans. Amoruso has been linked with Lazio and Fiorentina but said earlier this year he was not in a rush to go back to Italy. Saturday 12th May 2001 Match Reaction Rangers boss Dick Advocaat singled out the returning Ronald de Boer as the hero of the hour after his side trounced Kilmarnock 5-1 at Ibrox. Playing his first game since a serious knee operation, de Boer scored the home side's first goal and went on to last 70 minutes of the win. Advocaat said: "I'm very pleased with the result and the 70 minutes from Ronald de Boer. He has been out for four months and you can see the quality he has when he's fit." Lorenzo Amoruso also scored, but looks set to quit Ibrox when the season is over. Advocaat refused to elaborate on that matter, saying: "Let's just wait and see. Everything will start after the end of the season, we have had no offers." Kilmarnock's Ally McCoist didn't blame manager Bobby Williamson for robbing him the chance to play at Ibrox for the very last time. McCoist, who hangs up his boots next week, was given a standing ovation by the home fans at full time, as Williamson was booed from the pitch for refusing to let McCoist join the action. McCoist said: "It's fair to say I did feel a little bit sorry for the gaffer. He was getting put under pressure but his job isn't to entertain 46,000 Rangers fans, though he did his best today!" In the end it was Rangers boss Dick Advocaat who persuaded McCoist to go on to the pitch and greet the fans after the final whistle. McCoist added: "The irony was not lost on me. I would like to thank him because I don't think I would have gone out there to say cheerio and that would have been something I'd have regretted for the rest of my life." Agent claims Caniggia's a Ger Claudio Caniggia's agent claims the Argentinian will be a Rangers player by midday on Monday. Dundee manager Ivano Bonetti has already admitted they would be willing to let the former World Cup star leave Dens Park for the right price. And agent Pablo Cosentino insists Caniggia will sign a two-year deal after talks with Rangers chairman David Murray on Friday. Cosentino told The Sun: "We are all celebrating, Claudio is a Rangers player. We have verbally agreed it. If everything goes through in the way we expect he will be signing a two-year contract with Rangers. We are all delighted and now the contract will be signed on Monday at midday." Friday 11th May 2001 McLean and Thomson appointed Rangers have confirmed that Tommy McLean is to be the club's new director of youth development. McLean has told Dundee United, where he was fulfilling a non-contract coaching role, that he is to return to Ibrox after an 18-year absence. The former Rangers winger was also assistant to John Greig in the early 1980s and went on to manage Dundee United, Motherwell, Hearts, Raith Rovers and Morton. His becomes the second addition to Dick Advocaat's coaching team, following former Holland captain and Ajax manager Jan Wouters, who will be the new first team coach. Advocaat has also brought Billy Thomson back to the club to become the new goalkeeping coach, replacing Alan Hodgkinson, who will now focus on coaching the youth keepers. Their arrival coincides with the imminent opening of the club's multi-million pound training facility in the north of Glasgow. Advocaat told rangers.co.uk: "I am delighted to be welcoming Tommy to his position of director of youth development and Billy as goalkeeping coach. Tommy returns to the club with an excellent playing and management pedigree at the highest level. He is well-known within the game as an excellent coach at all levels and, in particular, for the work he has done with the youth players.Billy too has tremendous experience in playing and coaching and will build on the excellent work done by Alan Hodgkinson, who will now commit his vast experience to the essential role of developing the young goalkeepers. With the opening of our new training centre they will fulfil key roles within the new structure." McLean said: "I am, obviously, delighted to be returning to the club where I spent 12 very rewarding and happy seasons. I am very aware of the importance of my new role and I had no hesitation in accepting the chairman and Dick Advocaat's invitation to return. I am looking forward to being involved with the Rangers youth players and the new centre will certainly give me an excellent platform on which to work with the players of the future." Thomson added: "This is a great opportunity for me to work with top keepers at a top club and I am looking forward to the challenge." McLean was signed by Willie Waddell for Rangers from Kilmarnock in the summer of 1971 and played in over 450 games for Rangers between 1971 and 1982, winning every domestic honour, including trebles in 1976 and 1978 as well as the 1972 European Cup Winners' Cup. At the end of his playing career he joined the coaching staff at Ibrox and became Greig's number two. While in charge of Motherwell he led them to victory in the 1991 Scottish Cup, by beating Dundee United, who were managed by his brother Jim, in extra time. Thomson, 42, played at the top level for 20 years and was goalkeeping coach at Dundee earlier in the season. The former Partick Thistle, St Mirren, Dundee United and Motherwell goalkeeper, who was capped seven times for Scotland, was signed for Rangers by Walter Smith in 1994 as cover for Andy Goram. He played six times before moving to Dundee in 1996 where he played for three years before moving into coaching full time. Both will take up their appointments at the start of pre-season training. Wednesday 9th May 2001 Drugs test for Dutch players Rangers' five Dutch stars fear they have been unwittingly doped by their own national team medics. The Dutch Football Association, KNVB, have launched at investigation after Frank de Boer, the twin brother of Rangers midfielder Ronald, tested positive for nandrolone. He became the second Dutch international to have failed a post-match drugs test, with Edgar Davids of Juventus the other. Both failed tests after international duty with Louis van Gaal's team and that link could prompt tests for every player to have worn the orange shirt in the past year. KNVB confirmed that the investigation will look into food supplements given to the entire squad at international gatherings. As well as de Boer, Rangers have seen Arthur Numan, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Bert Konterman and Fernando Ricksen spend time this season on international duty. A KNVB spokesman said: "Although KNVB have no doubts about the integrity of their medical staff it was still decided to start an independent investigation into the food supplements that were given to the players during recent gatherings of the Dutch national team. KNVB have asked the Dutch Olympic Committee, being the governing sports body in the country, to advise KNVB how this investigation should be set up and who should make this analysis. KNVB also informed the Ministry of Sports about this procedure." Gio drops Chelsea hint Rangers midfielder Giovanni Van Bronckhorst could be close to securing a move to Chelsea. The Dutchman's contract with Rangers has just one year left to run and he is widely tipped to be looking for an opportunity with a Premiership side. Speaking to the Daily Mail, Van Bronckhorst expressed his enthusiasm for a switch to Stamford Bridge, saying: "It's a big club in a big league so, for me, it should be a step forward." Gough turned down Spirit role Richard Gough has turned down a chance to begin a coaching career with Rangers' Australian feeder club. Gough, who is to end his playing career at Everton, was offered the chance to cut his teeth as a coach with Australian side Northern Spirit. Rangers have recently taken full control of the Aussie club, having invested in them last year in a deal aimed at increasing the club's profile in the southern hemisphere. Chairman David Murray made the approach but Gough, who has already had two spells in Major League Soccer as a player with Kansas City Wizards and San Jose Clash, said he was off to America instead. Murray told rangers.co.uk:"We talked about a coaching position in Australia, but Richard told me that he would rather go to the States." Many Rangers fans were keen to see Gough, the nine-in-a-row skipper, appointed at Ibrox as a coach especially in the wake of the appointment of another Dutchman, Jan Wouters, as first team coach. But Murray made it clear there was no room at the moment for an inexperienced coach under the current regime under Dick Advocaat. McLean to return? Dundee Utd Tommy McLean is being tipped to rejoin Rangers as Youth Development Coach according to morning reports. The former Motherwell boss has been strongly linked with the position many thought would have gone to Billy Davies, but McLean, a former assistant manager to Jock Wallace at Ibrox, is being seen as the ideal man to deal with the development of younger players, and has a superb track record in bringing Scotland stars through the ranks. Dundee United boss Alex Smith took a huge gamble in inviting McLean back to Tannadice knowing his the Terrors supporters would feel about such an appointment, but he's doing sterling work at Tannadice and would be sorely missed. Monday 7th May 2001 Gio and de Boer return to action Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Ronald de Boer could be set for a return to the first team after completing a full 90 minutes with the under-21 side. The pair played in the 3-1 win at St Johnstone which was watched by Ibrox manager Dick Advocaat and chairman David Murray. Van Bronckhorst has spent much of the season on the sidelines and was out again last month after picking up a hamstring injury against Hearts. But the Dutch midfielder conceded a penalty in the game when he fouled Keigan Parker. A goal from Allan Johnston and a double from Peter MacDonald gave Rangers the win Former Barcelona man de Boer has not featured since the Scottish Cup win over Brechin in January through a knee injury. Both players could now return for the visit of Kilmarnock on Saturday. Saturday 5th May 2001 5 goals, 2 off at Tynecastle Rangers finally booked their place in the Champions League qualifiers with a comprehensive dismissal of Hearts, who still have a chance of a UEFA Cup spot. Two goals from man-of-the-match Jorg Albertz and one each from £12million striker Tore Andre Flo and Rod Wallace saw the former champions home in a game which was never very far from boiling over. Rangers captain Barry Ferguson was shown a straight red card for an X-rated challenge on Steven Pressley in the first-half, and the latter was himself dismissed for two bookable offences early in the second period. Albertz was at the hub of all the visitors' good work, and managed to hit the woodwork three times before half-time, opening the scoring on the first occasion. He swung in a free-kick from the right, and it missed everyone before creeeping in off the far post with Antti Niemi stranded. Ferguson's sending off came two minutes after Albertz' opener after an awful challenge on Pressley, and he becomes became the 12th Rangers man to see red in their ill-fated title defence. Hearts substitute Juanjo provided the cross for Stephane Adam to bundle in an equaliser within two minutes of the re-start. Niemi produced a fine stop immediately after to deny Wallace, but the little striker made no mistake from close range minutes later after the coveted Finnish stopper spilled Amoruso's long-range strike. Pressley, who had earlier been booked for a ful on Flo, earned his second yellow and from then on the tide was always blue.Niemi denied Flo, Claudio Reyna, and then Craig Moore with his legs, before Flo's simple ball played in the ominpresent Albertz and he smashed home the third. The German repaid the compliment to let Flo claim the fourth with another neat finish, and the only consolation for Craig Levein is that they lost no ground on Kilmarnock in the race for a UEFA Cup place. Barry faces lengthy ban Barry Ferguson will miss the start of next season following his red card today. Ferguson was already one booking away from a 3 match ban before today's game and will now miss the last 2 games of this season and at least the first 2 leagues of the new campaign. Friday 4th May 2001 Team News Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Ronald de Boer will not be risked against Hearts at Tynecastle tomorrow. The Dutch duo should continue their return from injury in the Under-21 side on Monday. Lorenzo Amoruso is in the squad after recovering from the injury sustained during last weekend's game and Claudio Reyna returns after suspension and international duty. Barry dismisses Leeds link Barry Ferguson laughed off speculation that Leeds United are preparing a £10million bid, saying he's happy where he is right now. Reports have claimed that Leeds boss David O'Leary is preparing to offer the Ibrox club the huge sum in the summer for the Rangers skipper, who said last night: "If such a story is true then I'm very flattered. Leeds are a massive club who have had a magnificent season in Europe. But I have three years left on my contract and I will honour that." Wednesday 2nd May 2001 Wouters joins coaching staff Dick Advocaat has recruited former Ajax and Netherlands midfielder Jan Wouters to his coaching staff, following the club's disappointing season in the Scottish premier league. The club announced on its website on Wednesday that it had appointed Wouters, 42, who was previously coach at Ajax, as a first-team coach. Advocaat, the former Dutch national coach, will remain in charge of team affairs at Ibrox but wanted to strengthen his coaching team to challenge Celtic next season. Wouters played under Advocaat for the Netherlands, for whom he won 70 caps, at the 1994 World Cup Finals and was a member of the side which won the European Championship in 1988. He played for Ajax, PSV Eindhoven and Bayern Munich before taking charge at the Amsterdam club as coach in 1999-2000 but was sacked in March 2000 because of poor results. He told the Rangers website, rangers.co.uk: "Rangers is a huge club with a great European pedigree and a squad of talented players. I am looking forward to coming and living in Scotland and working with the team at the magnificent new training facilities." Advocaat said: "I am delighted to welcome Jan Wouters to the coaching team and I'm confident he will play a key role in the training of the first team squad for the challenge which lies ahead next season." Andre decides to stay in France Rangers have missed out on French striker Pierre-Yves Andre, who has decided to join Nantes instead. The 26-year-old Bastia frontman, who was available on a free transfer, had travelled to Glasgow to see what the former Scottish champions had to offer. He was also coveted by Sunderland, but in the end elected to join Nantes who are close to clinching the French championship. Nantes issued a statement that read: "Following the negotiations between the club and Pierre-Yves Andre, Nantes president Kleber Bobin has given his go-ahead for a five-year agreement between the player and Nantes, starting in the 2001-02 season." If you have any comments or suggestions please contact me using the Feedback form or email me at webmaster@ayeready.com