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Wednesday 29th November 2000

Memorial service to commemorate disaster victims Rangers are to hold a service to commemorate the 66 people killed in the Ibrox disaster of 1971. The service will take place at Ibrox Stadium on January 2 and relatives of the dead have been invited to participate in the unveiling of a bronze statue. The club will open their doors to those who wish to attend and the service is to be transmitted via video screens. Rangers have made contact with a number of relatives, but have been unable to trace others. As a result they have set up a phone line for relatives to contact them on 0141 580 8786. Chairman David Murray, who is to unveil the statue, said: "The club has publicly stated its commitment to the families of the bereaved and shareholders that when the overall modernisation of the stadium was complete, a fitting memorial to all those who tragically lost their lives would be erected." News of the deaths in 1971 shocked the world of football and 145 other people were also injured at the end of the game against Celtic. Celtic's Jimmy Johnstone appeared to have given his side victory with an 89th-minute goal and thousands of home fans began to leave the ground. Colin Stein fired an equaliser in the final minute and it was initially thought that many of the leavers heard the roar and tried to get back to the terraces. But the Fatal Accident Inquiry that investigated the disaster found that a section of the crowd leaving down Stairway 13 had stumbled, causing a domino effect down a gangway that led to a crush at the bottom. The time of the disaster was put at some five minutes after Stein's goal. No action was taken against the Ibrox board, although they did begin modernisation plans that now see the stadium as one of the most impressive all-seater arenas in world football. Dodds not moving Rangers chairman David Murray has insisted the club is not trying to off-load out-of-favour Billy Dodds. Dodds has not started a league game for the champions since the 2-1 defeat at St Johnstone on October 22 and was not even on the bench for Sunday's Old Firm derby. But Murray insisted: "Let me state categorically that we are not encouraging the sale of Dodds. Dick Advocaat is happy with the current squad and Dodds is going nowhere as he is still needed." Dundee United boss Alex Smith last night confirmed he had enquired about the 31-year-old, who is further down the strikers' pecking order following the £12million arrival of Tore Andre Flo. In any case, it is technically impossible for United to sign Dodds until next month as they were the club that sold him to Rangers in December 1999 and SPL rules state no re-sales before a year has elapsed.

Tuesday 28th November 2000

Gio not leaving in the near future Midfielder Giovanni van Bronckhorst has reassured fans he is not about to quit Ibrox. The Dutch international had been quoted saying he thought Rangers would sell him in the summer, when his current contract goes into its final year. In fact, he suggested it would be a mistake for the Scottish champions not to do so, and manager Dick Advocaat made it clear that if a player wanted to leave he would not stand in his way. But van Bronckhorst, who has been linked with Barcelona, Arsenal and Chelsea, wrote on his icons.com website he had no immediate plans to leave. He said: "It seems like I've been mentioned in the press a lot recently, with stories linking me to other clubs and saying I'll be leaving Rangers soon. I know speculation in the media is just a part of the game, but I have to say I find these recent rumours unbelievable. For a start, I still have 18 months left on my contract which is a long time, so I'm not even thinking about leaving. And, secondly, I'm still recovering from injury - so it's unlikely I'd be going anywhere in the near future. I've been concentrating on getting fit, and I don't know about any interest in me from any other clubs. As far as I'm concerned, I'm still a Rangers player. True, I haven't signed a new contract with the club, but then there are still 18 months to go on my current contract, which is a long time." Mols - I'll be even stronger Michael Mols has given Rangers fans the message they want to hear as he declared himself closer-than-ever to being fully fit and ready to help in their twin quests for European glory and overhauling Hibernian and Celtic. MOls said: "My knee is fine, apart from a little stiffness after matches, which is to be expected. The sharpness is coming back just by playing. Hopefully, I can get more games between now and January 2 and then use the winter break to come back 100 per cent. I'll take a rest and then get a full programme of training when we are in America."

Monday 27th November 2000

Annual Report released Rangers have underlined how important they regard European football - while still savouring their most satisfying domestic win of the season, the 5-1 demolition of Celtic. The club's annual report for the year up to June 30 revealed a massive turnover increase of £15million to £51.7million. That was mainly due to six matches in the Champions League last season when the Ibrox club, like this season, failed to make it through the first group stage. But they also recorded an overall trading loss of £4.68million, although that was in itself a reduction of more than £6million on the previous year's deficit. Rangers are in European action again on Thursday night when they play host to Kaiserslautern in the UEFA Cup. That match is to be televised by the BBC and the away leg a week later is being broadcast live by a German company. The annual report revealed that ticket sales and television income shot up by £8million to £27million, explanation in itself why the Scottish champions can afford to spend £12million on a single player when they feel like it. In addition the club cemented a £31million media alliance with the Premium TV company. Sponsorship and related commercial income grew by 75% to more than £10million and retail sales doubled to bring in almost the same sum. Overall the club's net assets were valued at £79million, an increase of £28million. A club spokesman said: "This spectacular growth sees the club heading towards being among the biggest in Europe despite receiving only a fraction of the television revenues available in the largest footballing countries." The 1999-2000 season, which saw the SPL trophy retained and a Scottish Cup win that took their trophy haul to a world record century of silverware, also saw work start on a new training ground and youth academy. The bill for this is exactly the same as Tore Andre Flo's transfer fee - £12million - and is scheduled for completion in June next year. Chairman David Murray, who has been bristling in recent weeks about media criticism of the team's performances, trumpeted the academy as a future boon for the whole of Scottish football. He said: "I am pleased to report that there has been a significant improvement in the club's finances during the year. In cash terms, primarily as a result of the rights issue last March and the PTV agreement, we closed the year with funds in excess of £21million. The new training academy will be among the best in Europe. At a time when the ever-increasing costs of the playing squad comes under closer scrutiny, I believe our academy will provide long-term value not only to Rangers but to Scottish football as a whole as we seek to identify and nurture home-grown talent."

Sunday 26th November 2000

Match Reaction Rangers manager Dick Advocaat rejected the suggestion that his side's win over Celtic saved him from the axe. The Scottish champions have been struggling recently and reports in the press had suggested that he may be on his way out. However, after the convincing victory over their Old Firm rivals, Advocaat was simply happy for the fans. He told Sky Sports: "I am very pleased for the players, and I am very pleased for the fans, because they were struggling in the last couple of weeks. It was a great victory. I did not think of resigning because, at this club, it is not the press who decide that it is Mr Murray (chairman David Murray), the fans and myself, not the press." Advocaat dropped Michael Mols to bring in new £12million Tore Andre Flo and saw his decision vindicated as the Norwegian scored on his debut. The Dutch boss added: "It was an excellent goal. It was a difficult game for him. He had to learn the pace of this game and also the atmosphere. The way he scored the goal it was one of good quality." Tore Andre Flo insisted that he was happier with the result than his debut goal. He said: "I didn't expect us to win 5-1, but I feel just great. I expect the papers will write a lot about it (the #12m price tag) in the future. It was nice to have a goal today, but the important thing was for us to win." New captain Barry Ferguson paid tribute to deposed skipper Lorenzo Amoruso, who was fantastic in the victory at Ibrox. He smiled: "He's been great. I got made club captain, but there's nothing between us. He was determined to do well like everybody. Obviously getting beat 6-2 (by Celtic in August) it was a big disappointment. We've still got a game in hand and that brings it down to nine points. We certainly won't give it up." Match Report Tore Andre Flo marked his Scottish debut with a goal as Rangers destroyed the last remaining unbeaten record in senior British football. The Norwegian flicked the ball nonchalantly into the roof of the net after Jorg Albertz's header cannoned back off the crossbar to put the 'Gers in front – a lead which they didn't relinquish. It was a vital goal. Just two minutes earlier, Celtic - unbeaten in their previous 16 SPL games - had levelled at 1-1 with Henrik Larsson heading his 22nd goal in 22 games this season. Flo's rapid response ensured that Rangers got their just rewards for dominating the game. It also kept the title race alive with the champions now 12 points behind Celtic but with a game in hand. After Flo's goal, Martin O'Neill's side wilted under the pressure and allowed Rangers a glorious revenge for their 6-2 thrashing at Parkhead in August. The player that really stood out was Barry Ferguson, who showed his growing maturity as he converted his side's first-half dominance into a lead. The Gers skipper was sent off and arrested following the last Old Firm derby but opened the scoring this time after 35 minutes, receiving a pass from Claudio Reyna and sliding the ball under Robert Douglas into the corner of the net. It was just as well that Ferguson broke the deadlock after Rangers missed two glorious chances inside the opening two minutes. Flo broke free, but dinked his shot wide, while Ronald de Boer brought back memories of Ronnie Rosenthal with an appalling miss, shooting over with the goal at his mercy. However, a one-goal advantage was never enough and when Larsson found space to head home from Alan Thompson's corner, it seemed as though they would pay for their profligacy. However, Flo answered the SOS call and from then on, it was all one way. Thompson's dismissal for a second bookable offence after 64 minutes hardly helped Celtic's cause. Having been cautioned in the first half for an ugly tackle on Ferguson, he dived in on the Rangers captain again and referee Kenny Clark had no option but to show the red card. All of a sudden, Celtic were without a tough tackler in midfield and Rangers dominated. Yet it was poor marking from corners that cost the Bhoys dear. De Boer is far from the tallest man on the field, yet he headed a third at the far post from an inswinging Albertz corner. Lorenzo Amoruso was magnificent all afternoon, marshalling the most potent strike force in Scotland with consummate ease and he capped a wonderful afternoon with a goal. Again he was unmarked from the Hammers' curling corner and he nodded home 13 minutes from time. Substitute Michael Mols, making his Old Firm debut, completed the rout, sliding into an empty net after de Boer's delightful cross. It was a bitterly disappointing day for Celtic, yet they are still 12 points ahead of their rivals having played a game more and, although they may have lost their unbeaten record, are still very much in control.

Saturday 25th November 2000

Team News Flo set to make his debut with Claudio Reyna returning from injury but Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Craig Moore, Fernando Ricksen and Allan Johnston are all out. Moore out for season - Johnsen link Craig Moore is set to miss the remainder of the season after undergoing a secret knee operation in Australia. The Rangers defender is currently recuperating in his homeland after undergoing a third, career-threatening, bout of surgery at a top Sydney clinic. Moore had the first operation on his troublesome right knee at the tail end of last season. But he was forced to go under the knife again in August when his comeback was aborted after just one game against Lithuanian side Zalgris Kaunas. This latest setback, however, comes as a devastating blow to both the young Aussie and Dick Advocaat, who is desperate to bolster his leaky defence. Moore will spend the first month of his rehabilitation with Rangers feeder club, Northern Spirit, before returning to Ibrox for further intensive physiotherapy With Moore out for the rest of the season Rangers have been linkedwith a bid to sign Manchester United's Ronny Johnsen. The Ibrox club have held hush-hush talks with United over the past 48 hours about their experienced defender who has lost his Old Trafford starting place. The high level discussions have also involved Johnsen's agent Rune Hauge, with the signs looking good for a surprise arrival at Ibrox.

Friday 24th November 2000

Gio can go for the right price Dick Advocaat has declared he is prepared to let star midfielder Giovanni van Bronckhorst go for the right price. The Dutch international has made it clear he does not expect his Ibrox career to last much longer than the summer, when the final year of his contract begins. He expects Rangers to sell him then rather than run the risk of seeing him go for nothing a year down the line. The 25-year-old has been linked with Barcelona over the past few days, speculation that Advocaat reckons has been agent-led. He insisted: "I have no problems with what he said. I've said it before, if a player is not happy or feels he can move on to a better club then fine. But we will decide the price, not his agent. Anyway, he's not unhappy, he didn't say that at all. In fact, he's happy at the club but he probably wants to go to another club to find new challenge. And, if he wants to go, then I'll give him my hand. But, again, we will decide the price and not his agent." Van Bronckhorst, currently recuperating in Holland from groin and back injuries, said: "Interest from clubs outside Scotland has become so great that it is highly unlikely I will fulfil my contract with Rangers. This will not happen before the summer but at some time a transfer will happen. It would definitely be in the best interests of Rangers to sell me. I have always made it clear that I wanted to continue my long adventure abroad and widen my horizons with another club. I could have left last season but decided to remain and achieve my ambition of winning more trophies. Without meaning to sound arrogant, I have become a very important player for them." Flo cannot wait for Old Firm game Tore Andre Flo has admitted that the Old Firm derby will be one of the highlights of his career. The Norwegian striker completed a £12million move to Rangers and is expected to make his debut in the vital clash against Celtic on Sunday. He told a packed press conference: "It's a fantastic match to be involved in. I saw the beginning of the last one and I could see just how passionate it is. Everyone gives 100 per cent and the fans are crazy. I'm sure it's going to be the same on Sunday and it is for moments like this that you work hard in training all of your life. I just hope that it is going to be a good day for Rangers on Sunday. I don't think there is any doubt that I'm going to be a little more nervous making my debut on Sunday than if it was another game but I can't wait to be involved." Flo admitted that he decided to move from Chelsea in a search for first-team football, but will have to impress to keep in-form striker Kenny Miller out of the team. He added: "I've not been playing enough, so I had to do something. I think it can be a great move for me. Rangers are such a big club who are capable of winning something major and that is what I want, of course." One negative for Flo – having featured in Chelsea's short, miserable UEFA Cup run - is that he will not be available for Rangers' campaign in Europe. Dick Advocaat knows just how dangerous Flo can be. The Norwegian was part of the Brann Bergen side that dumped the Dutch manager's PSV Eindhoven side out of the Cup Winners Cup. Flo, smiling, said: "I don't suppose he was very pleased with me then, although I was obviously very happy, so I'm hoping that I can please him on Sunday by helping Rangers to a victory."

Thursday 23rd November 2000

£12million Flo signs Tore Andre Flo completed his £12million move to Rangers this afternoon and admitted a lack of first-team football forced him to quit Chelsea. The 27-year-old Norwegian international striker, who had made only three starts for Chelsea this season, said: "I've not been playing enough, so I had to do something." Flo has signed a four-and-a-half-year deal with the Scottish champions. He said: "I'm very happy to get this opportunity. I wanted to go to a club that can win something and believe we can do it here." He is clearly relishing the prospect of making his Rangers debut in Sunday's Old Firm clash with Celtic at Ibrox and said: "I've watched derby games on TV and I understand it is very important for the people here." Flo's signing eclipses the previous Scottish transfer record of £6million - the fee Celtic paid Chelsea for Chris Sutton in the summer. For Rangers boss Dick Advocaat, clinching the deal ends a long chase to land Flo. Advocaat said: "We are very pleased to get him. He destroyed my old club PSV Eindhoven on his own and knocked us out of the UEFA Cup, and I have been watching him ever since. I tried to get him to PSV the year Ronaldo left (to join Barcelona) but he was going to Chelsea. I tried many times when he was with Chelsea. I spoke to his agent when Flo was with Norway during Euro 2000 but he was committed to Chelsea. I watched with interest the Chelsea line-up every week and for me it was good when he was not in the team. Now that he is finally coming to Rangers, it is great. It is a lot of money. Maybe too much for one player but that is the price we have to pay for a player of his quality and these are the market prices." Advocaat dismisses Gio's Barca link Rangers manager Dick Advocaat has dismissed reports that Barcelona are poised to make a £9million swoop for Giovanni van Bronckhorst. The Spanish giants were rumoured to be prepared to offer Frank de Boer, the twin brother of Rangers' Ronald, as bait. Advocaat suggested the midfielder's agent was the source of the story and when pressed on the matter said: "Oh well, speculation. I think so. His agent was here. As you well know agents are very important."

Wednesday 22nd November 2000

Flo signing on Thursday Rangers will complete the record-breaking £12million signing of Tore Andre Flo on Thursday morning on a four-and-a-half-year deal. The Chelsea hitman flew into Glasgow on Wednesday for discussions with the Ibrox club and underwent a stringent medical on Wednesday afternoon. A few minor details are yet to be ironed out, but chairman Rangers David Murray is confident of unveiling the 27-year-old Norwegian striker at a press conference on Thursday. A statement on Wednesday night said: "Rangers chairman David Murray confirmed that discussions had progressed satisfactorily with Tore Andre Flo and Chelsea Football Club, and all contractual matters will be resolved this evening. The player has undergone a medical, and again everything appears to be in order. But the results of a few tests are awaited. Completion of the transfer of the player's registration will take place on Thursday morning.The £12million Scottish record transfer will see Flo join Rangers on a four-and-a-half year contract. Our fans will understand that the club must take proper time and due consideration in all aspects of this signing. The player will train with the team in the morning, and a press conference will be held in the early afternoon." Rangers are being extra careful after Wimbledon striker John Hartson and Espanyol forward Raul Tamudo both failed to satisfy the Ibrox doctors. But this deal will bring to an end manager Dick Advocaat's lengthy search for a striker to partner Dutchman Michael Mols and also end speculation surrounding the on-off transfer saga. There is now every chance Flo will make his debut in the intimidating Old Firm clash with Celtic at Ibrox on Sunday. Ironically the deal will eclipse the £6million Rangers' Parkhead rivals splashed out for his former Chelsea team-mate Chris Sutton in the summer. The duo now look certain to play against each other as Rangers hope to rekindle their slim title hopes. Murray has always maintained the deal was never dead, and it looks certain he will get his man. With Flo having put in a transfer request following Rangers' expressed interest in him, Chelsea gave the Norwegian permission to fly to Glasgow after he initially asked for a reported £1million loyalty bonus from them. Flo insisted he had not asked to leave Stamford Bridge and was entitled to the payment but then expressed his desire to leave the Premiership club. Chelsea had responded to Flo's demands by stating they did not want to him to leave, and he was left with no option but to make the next move. With both clubs having agreed to the move going ahead, Flo's frustration at a lack of first-team opportunities looks like coming to an end. Ricksen facing disciplinary hearing Rangers defender Fernando Ricksen has been summoned to appear before a disciplinary hearing of the Scottish Football Association next month following his clash with Aberdeen's Darren Young. The Dutchman appeared to aim a kick at Young during Rangers' 2-1 win at Pittodrie on November 12 and later hinted, on his website, he had been aiming to "straighten him out". The SFA confirmed the disciplinary case is separate from any investigation which may be conducted by the general purposes committee into comments made by the player, such as those on his website. A statement from the SFA read: "At its meeting on November 20, the disciplinary committee considered the incident involving Fernando Ricksen and Darren Young during this match. In view of the apparent deliberate nature of Fernando Ricksen's kick at Darren Young, the committee has decided to investigate this matter as an exceptional case of players' misconduct in accordance with the disciplinary procedures. The committee took television evidence of the incident into account in coming to this decision. Fernando Ricksen has been called to attend a meeting of the disciplinary committee on Monday December 18 at Hampden Park."

Tuesday 21st November 2000

Mols sets his sights on Old Firm debut Michael Mols is determined to join the elite band of Rangers players who have scored in their first match against Celtic. The Dutchman, who suffered a serious knee injury 13 months ago, was ruled out of previous derby matches but is set to line up for Sunday's Old Firm showdown at Ibrox. He wants to help the Light Blues gain revenge for the 6-2 defeat inflicted on them by Celtic in August by joining luminaries such as Derek Johnstone, Nigel Spackman, Terry Hurlock, Richard Gough and Billy Dodds as scorers on their Old Firm debuts. Mols said: "I'm a striker so naturally my aim is always to score. But this is a very important game, not just because it's a massive derby but also because we must win and I'd love nothing more than to grab a goal. I've heard that a few players have scored in their first game against Celtic which has made them instant heroes so it would be good to do it from that point of view but most importantly so we can get the three points. The most important thing on Sunday is that we win the game and nothing else. It doesn't matter if I score, if the team plays badly or whatever, just as long as by the time the referee blows the final whistle we have more goals than Celtic." Mols added: "My knee is okay. Of course I'm not where I want to be just yet but that is normal after an injury like the one I had, but it will come through time. I just have to keep getting more games and train as hard as I possibly can. I seriously hope this Sunday will be my first Old Firm appearance - I would never have imagined it would have taken this long to play against Celtic. But, of course, you never know what can happen between now and then. It also depends on the manager as well - he has the ultimate decision. I've been in the stand on enough occasions to realise what a great atmosphere is generated at these derby games. It's amazing how both sets of fans sing for the whole 90 minutes, but to be honest I'd much rather sample it while being on the park instead of off it. The European games at Ibrox have probably been the biggest atmospheres I've played in to date but to sample the Old Firm match would be even better I think." The end for Kanchelskis? Rangers manager Dick Advocaat could be set to off-load Andrei Kanchelskis - but not because of a training ground bust-up with Fernando Ricksen. The out-of-favour Ukrainian winger could be on his way out after he refused to play in an under-21 game last week. The former Manchester United, Everton and Fiorentina star's reaction to being dropped for last Sunday's game at Aberdeen was to ignore Advocaat's instruction for him to play with the youngsters. That snub enraged Advocaat, who banned the player from joining the first-team squad which travelled to Dunfermline on Saturday. Advocaat said: "The real reason for the release of Kanchelskis from the first-team squad for the last game is that he refused to play in a second-team game on Monday night against Aberdeen. That I cannot accept and that is why Kanchelskis is training with the second team at the moment. In this club, the manager decides which players should play and in which positions and in which team - not the player himself." Flo deal agrred in "broad principle" Chairman David Murray insists that the Ibrox club have made a deal in "broad principle" with Chelsea for striker Tore Andre Flo. The Ibrox chief is adamant that the deal is still alive despite earlier reports that any move had fallen through for the Norwegian international. Now Murray believes that the forward will be available for the Old Firm clash with Celtic on Sunday providing Flo can negotiate personal terms with the Stamford Bridge club before his departure. Murray said: "I am fully aware that our supporters are concerned that we have so far not managed to sign a striker of the stature of Flo but we are still hopeful. We have always tried to do our best in the transfer marker for the club and that is why we have been pursuing a player of his quality. We have made a deal in broad principle with Chelsea, but we can't go forward until some negotiations between the player and Chelsea are resolved. It is really a case of waiting to see what happens. We are still in an area where we are waiting to take a step forward, but we can't make that step until Chelsea and the player have resolved their differences." The 27-year-old has found himself out of favour at the London club since the arrival of Claudio Ranieri as replacement for Gianluca Vialli.

Monday 20th November 2000

Murray confident on Flo deal Rangers chairman David Murray is still confident of landing Chelsea's Tore Andre Flo in a record-shattering £12m. The Londoners rejected an earlier bid for the Norwegian striker but Murray believes a deal could be completed in the next 24 hours. He said: "We will find out in the next 24 hours if he is coming to the club or not. He has some individual matters to resolve with Chelsea and if these are resolved then I am hopeful that he can become a Rangers player. We have been in negotiations with Chelsea since last Friday. I spoke to chief executive Colin Hutchinson today and I'm reasonably satisfied the way things are going along. Of course, any deal has to be right financially for Rangers. There is a maximum for everything at this club and we would not put the club at risk. However, the supporters can rest assured that Dick and myself are doing our utmost on and off the park to get things right and bring the club out of the difficult situation we have been experiencing recently."

Sunday 19th November 2000

Chelsea reject Flo bid Rangers have failed in a bid to sign Chelsea striker Tore Andre Flo, with The Blues turning down a written offer for the Norwegian. It was revealed earlier on Sunday that the Scottish giants have been tracking Flo for some time and they have acted on his current situation to make a formal approach. The 27-year-old is unhappy at not getting regular starts, and Rangers were looking to kick-start their season by signing the highly-rated striker. However, Blues chief executive Colin Hutchinson has turned down the offer, stating that the club do not want him to leave. He said: "We have had a written offer from Rangers for Flo but it does not meet out evaluation. Tore has never asked to leave Chelsea and we do not want to lose him." £12million Flo link Tore Andre Flo could be on his way to Rangers in a £12million deal with Chelsea. The 27-year-old Flo has failed to patch up his relationship with Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri and the Norwegian looks set to become a Scottish record buy by joining the champions north of the border. Flo, who is due to fly to Glasgow to conclude talks this week, has scored 50 goals in 162 games for Chelsea but he has been unable to command a first-team place since Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's arrival. The signing would represent something of a coup for Rangers, given that Aston Villa were ready to pay £8m to get Flo to Villa Park. Flo's agent Gunnar Martin Kjenner is aware of the Scottish clubs' interest and is hoping his player can find his feet again after been handed few chances under new Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri. Martin Kjenner said:"Rangers have been tracking him for a long, long time now. I know they have made enquiries. Tore feels he is not getting the chance he deserves (at Chelsea)." Charbonnier sacked Lionel Charbonnier has been sacked by Rangers - but at a hefty price. The Ibrox club has shelled out £500,000 to rid themselves of the temperamental World Cup-winning goalkeeper from France '98 and get him out of Dick Advocaat's sight. The Ibrox manager said: "He can fix up a new club if he wants. It's of no concern to me what Charbonnier does." The last straw for Advocaat came when Stefan Klos injured his ankle during the Champions League qualifying tie against Galatasaray at Ibrox last month. Charbonnier was included in the team to play St Johnstone in the Premier League four days later but mysteriously called off with an undisclosed injury. Match Reaction Dick Advocaat played down next week's crunch Old Firm match by insisting they must win simply because it is a home game. The Ibrox manager watched his side surrender two points at East End Park as Rangers failed to breakdown the Dunfermline defence in a goalless draw. Celtic now go 15 points clear of Rangers at the top of the Premier League after a rampant win against Hearts and Advocaat admitted his own side's result was "not good". Rangers had decent chances to go win the game but the Gers boss insisted his side did not have the quality to finish. Advocaat said: "A 0-0 result was not good but it is always difficult to come here. In the first-half, we thought it was too easy but in the second half we were the better side and had about four or five opportunities - not real chances because you have to have the quality to put them away. We have to win next week because it is a home game and we have to win the home games." Rangers' best effort fell to Jorg Albertz who had one of his trademark free-kicks blocked by goalkeeper Marco Ruitenbeek in the first half. Stefan Klos was back between the sticks for Rangers meaning a place on the bench for Jesper Christiansen and the German made an impact was notably when he denied Scott Thomson towards the end of the game.

Friday 17th November 2000

Team News Goalkeeper Stefan Klos is set to return to the side in place of Jesper Christensen. Arthur Numan is set for a return but Craig Moore, Rod Wallace, Claudio Reyna and Giovanni van Bronckhorst are still ruled out. Fernando Ricksen misses out after playiny only 30 seconds for Holland in midweek.Dick Advocaat said: "I believe Fernando Ricksen played for just 30 seconds on Wednesday night but he took a kick during that time and now he can't play tomorrow. Somebody else will have to play in his position. The good thing from the club's point of view is that we have enough players to do that but the bad thing is we can't seem to play the same team every week."

Thursday 16th November 2000

Numan back for Saturday Rangers defender Arthur Numan has declared himself fit for Saturday's trip to Dunfermline. The Dutchman pulled out of last Sunday's match with Aberdeen just two hours before kick-off and had to watch his side's 2-1 victory from the stands. Now the former PSV Eindhoven star told the club's official website he reckons he will be ready to play. He said: "I picked up the injury last Friday. It was a problem with my hamstring. But I still trained on the Saturday although I felt it was very, very stiff. I picked up the same injury twice last season, against Dundee away and Hearts at home, and was out for three weeks so I didn't want to risk it against Aberdeen." He revealed: "On Monday I did some running and received treatment, it was the same on Tuesday and Wednesday but I will be back in full training on Thursday and there should be no problem for Saturday."

Wednesday 15th November 2000

Advocaat -"Scrap the League Cup" Dick Advocaat has renewed his call for the CIS League Cup to be scrapped to ease fixture congestion. The Dutchman has been infuriated by the number of games Rangers must play and joined Celtic manager Martin O'Neill in condemning the midweek internationals. But Advocaat wants the Scottish Football League to scrap their cup competition to ease the burden on his players. He told the Rangers News: "It is almost impossible for players to get back to fitness. They are not getting a chance to rest because they have international duties, League Cup, SPL and Europe. We are even getting to the stage where we can't find dates for the League Cup. If you can't find dates don't do it. After all, there are no incentives for winning the cup. It is not as if it is a way to qualify for Europe any more. Before we came into the Champions League, we had two qualifying games and we were already playing in the SPL in the last week of July. Compare that to everyone else on the continent. It isn't right and it doesn't help us. You can't just say to a player: 'OK, you stay out for two weeks and recharge'. When a player is not 100% you have to play them because you can't afford to rest them." The Ibrox boss has backed O'Neill's assertion that meaningless internationals leave players tired and possibly injured. Advocaat said: "Martin O'Neill was right when he said we are playing too many international games. I can understand international football when there is a big tournament coming up. But a Scotland friendly against Australia and a Holland kick-about against Spain? What are they for? My players should be resting this week. But instead many of them are away, which isn't good. We didn't return from our demanding game at Aberdeen on Sunday until after midnight. Then the players joined up with their countries, played midweek and won't return until late tomorrow night. How do you think that affects them? They will be very tired and can only do so much training because it is the day before the game against Dunfermline." Ricksen facing SFA rap Defender Fernando Ricksen could be in trouble with the SFA after admitting that he deliberately fouled Aberdeen's Darren Young off the ball. The Dutch full back revealed that he lashed out at Young to teach the player a lesson in the torrid Pittodrie encounter in which Young's twin brother, Derek, was sent off. But the admission on his personal website that "someone had to straighten him (Young) out" is almost certainly going to have Ricksen appear before the SFA's disciplinary committee to explain his remarks. An SFA spokesman confirmed on Wednesday that the normal procedure of examining the newspaper press for detrimental comments can be extended to the internet, where Ricksen and several other Rangers players have websites. A spokesman said: "We have not seen the direct quotes yet but if they warrant further explanation, the player will be written to by the disciplinary committee, asking for an explanation and perhaps a meeting. Ricksen said on his site that when he saw Young coming in to tackle him that he "jumped up to protect myself. He was kicking around a lot in the match and someone needed to straighten him out." Moore heads home for treatment Australia coach Frank Farina has admitted that Rangers defender Craig Moore is to return Down Under for further treatment on his knee. The Australian international made a comeback from the knee injury in the Scottish Cup Final in May after six weeks out but the knock flared up again in the summer leaving the defender on the sidelines. But Farina admits that the loss of Moore could have a damaging effect on his preparations for the first phase of World Cup qualification in April next year. However the Socceroos' coach insists that Moore will not be rushing back to action just yet. Farina said: "I have spoken to Craig on a couple of occasions and I understand that he is heading back to Australia for a little while. He has got a big problem with his knee and it is very unfortunate for the lad that he has been so long out. I'm not sure if he is having surgery but I know he might be going back for a while. It is difficult because a fit Craig Moore would definitely be in my plans in terms of the World Cup path. He brings experience and is a tough defender. He is a good lad and I'm all for having a good atmosphere in the team and having a laugh but we are very serious as well. A lot of the boys like him and he fits in well and brings a lot of positive things to the group. We spoke back in June, just after the Cup final and his knee flared up again after six weeks out. I think he is tired of giving predictions of when he is going to be alright and coming back."

Tuesday 14th November 2000

UEFA Cup dates confirmed Rangers have switched the date for the home leg of their UEFA Cup clash with Kaiserslautern after Dundee agreed to postpone a league trip to Ibrox. Rangers have delayed the first leg by a week by rescheduling it for Thursday, November 30 at 7.30pm. They will then complete the tie as scheduled in Germany on Thursday, December 7, although this will now be an afternoon kick-off. Dundee were due to play a Scottish Premier League game in Glasgow on Wednesday, November 29 but have now agreed to postpone it, with no new date yet fixed. The UEFA Cup switch was necessary because seven German teams are now in the competition and could not all play on the same night. The move also accommodates the demands of German television, which although being lucrative for Rangers has also meant the return leg kicking off at an unusual time. That will be played in Kaiserslautern at 3pm British time to suit German TV schedules. Another by-product of the switch is the extra time it gives Rangers to prepare for the Old Firm derby on Sunday, November 26, which under the original schedule was due to be played at Ibrox three days after the UEFA Cup first leg. Rangers director-secretary Campbell Ogilvie and commercial manager Martin Bain secured an extension from UEFA to the fixture scheduling deadline in order to wrap up the deal. Ogilvie said: "Originally we had been scheduled to play in the SPL match against Dundee on November 29 but Dundee and the SPL readily agreed to postpone this fixture until a later date and for this the club is thoroughly appreciative. The switching of the first leg was made to accommodate broadcasting of the match on overseas television. Domestic screening will be fixed at a later date." Konterman role switch Rangers' Dutch international Bert Konterman says he is determined to be a success at Ibrox - as a midfielder. The centre-back made the switch in his side's 2-1 victory at Aberdeen on Sunday. He wrote on his icons.com website: "A new chapter may have begun for me on Sunday evening against Aberdeen because I played my first full game for Rangers as a midfielder. I played in a position just in front of our defence, almost like a sweeper but at the back of midfield. The last time I played there was at Willem II two-and-a-half years ago, when it was always my job to pick up our opponents' number 10. In Holland we call this position the 'vacuum cleaner' of the midfield. Jan Wouters, a real player's player, was always in that position. He was great in that role but he was underestimated by most football watchers. Then Johan Cruyff began to tell people: 'He is unbelievably important to the squad.' After that people began to look at Jan Wouters in a new way. It was a little surprise for me but I'm a player who always tries to do whatever job I'm given on the field to the very best of my ability and central midfield is a role in which I can play. Dick Advocaat knows I can play there from when he was manager of PSV. After playing in midfield on Sunday, though, I do know that I have to improve my passing." Rangers take on Dunfermline on Saturday and that means Konterman coming up against his former coach Jimmy Calderwood. He said: "Jimmy Calderwood, who was my coach for several seasons in Holland, always told me central defence or the right side of midfield were my best positions. I've played as a defender for the last few years but if Dick Advocaat decides it's necessary for me to switch back into midfield I'll put everything into it."

Monday 13th November 2000

Mols wary of injury Michael Mols has vowed to fight through the pain barrier to earn Rangers domestic and European success. Today, the Dutch striker reflected on a career-threatening injury and also looked back to his winning goal against Aberdeen at Pittodrie. Mols, a charismatic figure, struck in the 50th minute last night and secured the three points which keep Rangers in contention - albeit marginally - for the title. He suffered a horrible injury a year ago, sustaining ligament damage to his right knee in a European Champions League tie against Bayern Munich in Germany. But the Dutch star reckons he is ready to make a return to the form which had devastated defences in Scotland and abroad. His winning goal in the 2-1 defeat of Aberdeen signalled his return to the highest level and although, at the end, he fell to the ground in exhaustion he said: "That was my first full 90 minutes for Rangers since my recovery. Now, I believe I can take things a stage further and truly help this club to bigger things. I am not kidding anybody over the extent of this problem. My knee was injured badly, and when I play it is hard on it. I can still suffer problems. I still feel some level of discomfort, but I am getting used to it. I am prepared to accept this, because I know it will be around for some time." Gio missing for a while yet Giovanni van Bronckhorst has virtually ruled himself out of his club's key clashes with Kaiserslautern and Celtic. The Dutch midfielder is currently back in Holland receiving treatment for a serious groin injury and has all but ruled himself out of the two games later this month. Van Bronckhorst said on his personal website: "I'll be out here for at least another 10 days. I'm still receiving treatment and I'm in touch with the doctor at Rangers who is also speaking to the doctors here, so everyone is aware of my condition. As far as the club is concerned, they just want me fit so I can do the job. It's strange in a way not having to prepare for a game. I'm so used to having that feeling of tension that comes as a game gets closer. But the point is that I'm getting myself totally fit so I can come back and play a worthwhile role for Rangers. The first week here has all been about getting the injury to settle down. Now it's a matter of building up my fitness and starting to have some serious running and shooting practice to see how it stands up. I'm not setting myself any deadlines or games to aim for, because that isn't right. I'm going back when I'm fit, and not before."

Sunday 12th November 2000

Match Reaction Michael Mols admitted he is still short of his best after completing his first game of the season. The Dutch ace, troubled by a serious knee injury for all of last season, scored the winner at Pittodrie but was even more pleased to have got through 90 minutes. He said: "I was very tired at the end. The pitch was soft and that made it hard for my knee. I am still missing 20 per cent from my game." Rangers won the game after a horrendous error by Thomas Solberg of Aberdeen. Mols admitted: "We got a lucky goal de Boer did well but normally you wouldn't expect them to give the ball away to an opponent. It was a little mistake but it was handy." Both Mols and manager Dick Advocaat were full of praise for Miller. Mols said: "I think he is a very talented player. He could play with anyone with his pace and capabilities." Advocaat added: "His form is there – he scored an excellent goal. Scotland have problems in that area so he must have a great chance with Scotland. Late tests for Mols and de Boer Rangers will make late checks on the knees of Michael Mols and Ronald de Boer. Long-term casualties Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Stefan Klos, Craig Moore and Allan Johnston are not yet ready for returns and Claudio Reyna is still out injured as well. Bert Konterman should make his return to the team possibly with Lorenzo Amoruso dropping down to the bench

Friday 10th November 2000

Kaiserlautern in UEFA Cup Rangers have been drawn against German side Kaiserlautern in the third round of the UEFA Cup. The Light Blues will take on the Bundesliga side at Ibrox on November 23 with the return leg in Germany on December 7 (dates asre subject to change). It is a tough draw for Dick Advocaat's men but they could have faced Barcelona who were also in the same pot. Seb in City trial Manchester City are to give a trial next week to Rangers' Chilean striker Sebastian Rozental. Rozental joined Rangers three years ago, but suffered a nightmare spell where he underwent four operations in less than two years after damaging medial ligaments. The striker is currently on loan from Rangers with the Argentinian side Independiente, but if he impresses sufficiently next week, then he could return to Britain to sign for the Blues, although a lot will also depend on whether he passes his fitness test at City.

Thursday 9th November 2000

Murray confirms Camara interest Rangers chairman David Murray has confirmed the club are considering a loan move for Liverpool forward Titi Camara with a view to a permanent deal. Murray said: "We have been offered Camara on loan with an option to buy and are looking into the deal. Much will depend on just how quickly our current injury problems canclear." Miller happy to stay at Ibrox Kenny Miller has backtracked over claims he is unhappy at Ibrox. It is hardly a surprise as the 20-year-old has catapulted himself into the limelight by scoring an amazing eight goals in just four starts for the Scottish champions. But it was only a few weeks ago that Miller was not even featuring as a substitute as Rangers toiled in both the SPL and Champions League. Miller said he would hold talks with Rangers manager Dick Advocaat at Christmas if a regular first-team spot had not materialised. Now, with a call-up to the full Scotland squad having arrived as well, the former Hibernian striker who joined Rangers in June is keen to sing a different tune. He told Rangers News: "I've felt the papers were trying to get me to say I would leave the club if I wasn't getting a game but I've never said I want to leave. I'm enjoying myself at Rangers." And after scoring five in the 7-1 mauling of St Mirren last weekend, he added: "I had scored a couple of goals but to score five on Saturday was brilliant. I went through a wee spell when I wondered if I would ever get a game. My dad helped me through and told me to work hard and wait for my chance. It was a case of getting that first break to prove myself and once it came I felt a lot better. I have eight goals and although I'm not pleased with that, I'm happy. It's not a bad record for the time I've been on the park. I've scored in the four games I've started and I won't have done my long term chances any harm. Obviously I want to start matches and I've been happy with my form when I did. There are a lot of high quality strikers at this club. I knew it would be difficult to break through so I worked away and got my opportunity. I know I did so because of injuries but I don't care."

Wednesday 8th November 2000

We didn't win our home games - From The Sporting Life Tony Vidmar has identified the key reason why his side are no longer in the Champions League - they did not win enough home games. The Australian, who is in his country's squad to face Scotland in a Hampden friendly next week, made a surprise comeback from injury to play in last night's 2-2 Ibrox draw with Monaco. A win would have put them into the last 16 but in the end they had to settle for third place in Group D and their name in the UEFA Cup draw. Sturm Graz, the Austrian champions Rangers beat 5-0 in the opening match, ended up winning the group, with Galatasaray also going through. Vidmar said: "It's a home game and I think you have got to win your home games. Sturm Graz showed that. They played three home games and won three home games. That's why it's important to take home advantage. Everyone is disappointed because we know we should have progressed to the second round but it wasn't to be." Rangers ended up conceding the least goals in the group - seven - and kept three clean sheets, but failure to beat Galatasaray and Monaco at home ended up costing them. Now Rangers must pick themselves up and prepare for a UEFA Cup campaign, as well as improving their domestic form that sees them still in fourth place, 13 points behind Celtic. Last season's UEFA Cup winners were Galatasaray and they had previously been in the Champions League. They beat Arsenal on penalties and the London club had also dropped out of the Champions League. Vidmar said: "It's a consolation. Over the games we did play, we played some good football and we proved what we could do. We are going to make sure we give it a good run." But Vidmar, who admitted he had been surprised on the morning of the match to discover he was back in the team, knows that if Rangers are to progress they must cut out the habit of conceding silly goals. Lorenzo Amoruso surrendered possession to allow Marco Simone to score the goal that knocked Rangers out last night. Earlier the Italian had gifted Simone another chance and had got away with it. Vidmar said: "We dominated the game and had good chances, but we gave away some goals and that killed us off. Most of the goals we have conceded this season have been lapses of concentration. That's a part of the game we will have to work on. After the next few days everybody will group together. Everyone will be a bit down but we are in the UEFA Cup, although the Champions League is where we want to be." Fellow defender Arthur Numan was also clear about the need to tighten up at the back. He said: "For the second goal we gave the ball away. Their strikers are very dangerous and they were waiting for a chance. It's our own fault we are out because Sturm Graz have 10 points and Galatasaray are through with eight points." Wilkins backs Advocaat - From The Sporting Life Ray Wilkins has insisted Dick Advocaat's ability as Rangers manager should not be questioned despite crashing out of the Champions League on Tuesday night. The former Ibrox star watched as Monaco twice hauled Rangers back to level terms to dump the Scottish Champions out of the competition and into the UEFA Cup. But Wilkins believed the Dutch boss should not be judged by another early exit from the Champions League and predicted Rangers would enjoy an impressive run in the UEFA Cup.Wilkins said: "I wouldn't like to think he would come under pressure. He has done a great job at the club and brought in some fantastic players. Dick shouldn't be touched at all because of the result, he has proved himself to be a top class manager and has done a wonderful job. There is no reason to panic. Rangers are still in the UEFA Cup and I think the players respect that situation and realise that they have to go for it. The gap between themselves and Celtic in the league is immense just now but it's assailable. Celtic have been impressive and have started the season well. They haven't hit a sticky patch yet and that's what's happened to Rangers just now." He added: "I watched the game last night and thought they started very well indeed. When young Kenny scored the first goal I thought they would go on and win the game comfortably. But all credit to Monaco, they came back into the game well, although I am saddened to see Rangers go out of the Champions league. They have a good squad and the side last night was very strong. I thought in the first half, in particular, Barry Ferguson was exceptional." Post-match reaction Dick Advocaat lamented the cheap goals conceded and the chances missed at the other end that cost his team a place in the next round of the Champions League. Advocaat said: "We all knew that it was a difficult draw and that we were in a difficult group, but the two wins in the beginning meant that we were expected to go through. I still say it was down to the circumstances with the squad, but I'm still disappointed not to go through to the next stage. A little bit of luck is what we needed tonight but we did not have that in this game. The goals we gave away were quite cheap and at this level you cannot allow for these mistakes. Realistically 2-2 was a fair result. The chance to go ahead of Monaco was there and we had four or five opportunities to score the extra goal. I'm angry because of the chances we had. It's not the first time this has happened because it also happened with Bayern Munich."

Tuesday 7th November 2000

Ranger 2-2 Monaco - From the official Rangers Website Rangers will once again have to contend with a place in the UEFA Cup after they could only manage a draw at home to Monaco at Ibrox this evening. Kenny Miller set them on their way with a goal in as early as the second minute of the match but they threw away that lead when Francisco Da Costa equalised in the 38th minute. Michael Mols shot them in front again six minutes into the second half but Italian hitman Marco Simone struck 13 minutes from the end to break Gers' hearts. As news filtered through of the score in Istanbul, also a draw between Galatasaray and Sturm Graz, the Light Blue legions trooped away in disappointment as they heard of the same result. Yet 90 minutes earlier they were in ecstasy when, as expected, they heard Michael Mols had made the starting line-up along with his fellow countryman, Ronald de Boer, after passing a late fitness test. In fact, for a change, Dick Advocaat threw up very few Champions League surprises as he fielded the same team which demolished St Mirren 7-1 at the weekend with the exception of Tony Vidmar who replaced Tugay Kerimoglu. The Light Blues made a good start to the game and with Monaco apparently shell-shocked by the noisy Ibrox crowd – all 50,228 of them – they put the French champions under immense pressure. And it took only two minutes for Rangers to get their noses in front and it was that man Kenny Miller again who scored the goal, his EIGHTH in only his last FOUR starts for the club. Arthur Numan ran down the left flank and crossed the ball into the box, Pablo Contreras hesitated, allowing the ball to bounce over him and the waiting Miller fired the ball home. The young striker could have had another one four minutes later but De Boer delayed with his pass when the former Hibs man was free in the box and allowed the Monaco defence time to recover and clear the danger. Advocaat's troops then had some more chances soon after that but they squandered them, giving Monaco heart and the French champions soon get themselves back on level terms. It came in the 38th minute when Marco Simone swing in an inch-perfect corner to the near post which Francisco Da Costa headed home – silencing the Ibrox crowd. The score remained that wait until the break and when the teams re-emerged there were no changes from either side, a little surprising considering both Mols and De Boer looked to be tiring. Then moments into the second half Rangers were let off the hook. Lorenzo Amoruso hesitated and Simone took advantage but the Italian couldn't do the simple thing and put the ball into the net after doing all the hard work. But Rangers were to make Monaco pay for missing that sitter when, in the 51st minute, Mols made it 2-1 in the home side's favour. The Dutchman picked up the ball just outside the box and fired beyond the helpless Stephane Porato. It looked then like Advocaat would be leading his men into the second phase of the Champions League for the first time in the club's history but with only 13 minutes remaining on the clock Monaco shocked the home side and got themselves back on level terms. Simone picked the ball up in the middle of the park, ran at the Rangers rearguard and fired a brilliant strike past Christiansen who was helpless between the sticks. Either side could have snatched it at the end but the game ended in a 2-2 draw and with Galatasaray and Sturm Graz also drawing 2-2 it means Rangers will once again have to contend with a place in the UEFA Cup.

Monday 6th November 2000

Gio out, de Boer in - The Sporting Life Midfielder Giovanni van Bronckhorst has lost his fight to be fit in time for his team's Champions League crunch match with Monaco on Tuesday night. The Dutchman is now expected to be out for another four weeks and is to go to Holland for treatment for a groin problem. USA international Claudio Reyna is also out of the Ibrox showdown which both teams believe they must win. Centre-back Bert Konterman is suspended, and long-term casualties Stefan Klos and Craig Moore are also a long way from first-team returns - although the Australian did train with his team-mates on Monday morning. Ronald de Boer has declared himself fit to take part in Tuesday night's Champions League showdown with Monaco. De Boer was taken off at half-time during Saturday's 7-1 demolition of St Mirren, and manager Dick Advocaat afterwards labelled him a doubt. But he wrote on his icons.com website: "I had to come off because I was having some problems with my left knee. I should be fit for Tuesday. Everybody is confident about that and almost everyone is fit again. With the Ibrox crowd behind us I don't see why we can't win and qualify for the next stage. What we must do is play with our heads and remember that the game lasts 90 minutes, be patient and not lose our heads even if we go a goal behind."

Sunday 5th November 2000

Wilson: It's good to have Mols back - The Sporting Life Scott Wilson has been preparing himself for the most important game of his short career - Rangers' Champions League showdown with Monaco on Tuesday night. He knows he will have to concentrate for every second to keep multi-million pound forwards Shabani Nonda and Marco Simone in check. But Wilson admitted that he has already been mesmerised by another striker who is likely to be on the pitch that night, his own team-mate Michael Mols. He said: "It's a great confidence booster for the boys when we've got Mickey Mols back. When you see what he is doing, even I got caught watching him." Mols made his third attempt at a comeback on Saturday from the serious knee injury which has put his career on hold for almost a year. He played for the first hour of the 7-1 Ibrox thrashing of St Mirren and, although he did not score himself, received an ovation from the home fans. That was because his first touch, vision and ability to turn defenders were still top class and only his rusty finishing was lacking. Wilson enthused: "He sticks out like a sore thumb, like when he nutmegged a guy in the first half. He is fantastic. He's awesome in training. We have missed him so much. We are a totally different team when he's on fire." Mols is all but certain to start on Tuesday in a game Rangers are treating as a must-win fixture. Victory ensures they reach the second phase of the competition; defeat means they are out of Europe altogether. Monaco too must win to stay alive and although a draw means Rangers could still stay in the Champions' League - if Sturm Graz win at Galatasaray - it would more likely see them drop into the UEFA Cup. Wilson said he anticipated more key players reaching fitness just in time. Jorg Albertz returned to play against St Mirren and he believed Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Tony Vidmar would be available on Tuesday as well. Only Claudio Reyna remained a doubt. He added: "Whoever is going to be on the park on Tuesday, the atmosphere is going to be special. There's no point in coming this far to be put out at this stage after all the work we've put in over two years." With Bert Konterman suspended on Tuesday night, Wilson is set to retain his place alongside deposed captain Lorenzo Amoruso as Rangers prepare for the biggest task of the season so far. But Wilson admits he is none the wiser as to where that will leave him afterwards. Wilson, who last season was close to a move to Sheffield Wednesday and earlier in the current campaign was coveted by Sturm Graz of all teams, said: "It's two games down the line for me. I'm here if the manager wants me and I always play for the jersey. I don't know if I'm playing on Tuesday. It's up to the manager. I don't even know if he knows the team himself yet. I think I've done all right. I would love to play against Monaco and I'm just happy to be playing in the Premier League for Rangers. It's difficult when you are just playing under-21 games to come in and perform. When you play for Rangers the fans expect you to be 100% all the time and I've played when I've not been 100%, mentally as well. I would be nervous if I was playing on Tuesday and I hadn't had a game behind me. I'm happy now to come in and do my bit for Rangers on Tuesday."

Saturday 4th November 2000

Advocaat savours seven-goal demolition job Rangers manager Dick Advocaat was delighted with his team's seven-goal demolition of St Mirren. But he knows that this victory will mean little if it is not followed by another one at home to Monaco on Tuesday. That's the tie that Rangers must win if they are to reach the last 16 of the Champions League and Advocaat was in France to watch them lose 2-0 in a league match last night. He said: "Now we have to do it against Monaco. That's another team, with a lot of quality. They lost 2-0 and it was not a great game. Their four front players are dangerous but if we can handle them then we have a chance. They have to win and the only way is that they have to score goals. The crowd will be a big influence on Tuesday, no doubt about that." The Ibrox faithful certainly got in plenty of cheering practice as St Mirren were thumped 7-1, with Kenny Miller helping himself to five. Miller was outstanding but so was a man who did not get his name on the scoresheet, the talismanic Michael Mols. Mols has been struggling for full fitness for a number of weeks now as he seeks to put a serious knee injury behind him. Now he has launched his third comeback, with the Monaco clash the main goal, and Advocaat reckoned the decision had been vindicated. He said: "You can see what he can do, not only for himself but for the team. We can't expect him to play 90 minutes but he didn't ask to be changed. Hopefully we can use him on Tuesday." The same applies to Ronald de Boer, who was substituted at half time when a persistent knee injury flared up again. The win ended a run of three successive league reverses for the champions and Advocaat added: "In the first half, and in parts of the second, the way we played, the movement, the possession, and the way we scored the goals, was good quality. It will give the players a lift and give them the confidence that they can still do it." It's Miller Time Kenny Miller scored an incredible five goals as Rangers crushed St Mirren 7-1 at Ibrox. With Michael Mols, Jorg Albertz and Ronald de Boer back in the side, the Scottish champions looked determined to continue their revival after a nightmare October. But despite the big names returning it was Miller who stole the show with a stunning display. A delicate chip in the second minute gave Rangers the perfect start and with a bundled effort on 24 minutes and a header a minute later, the 23-year-old had a quickfire hat-trick. Six minutes later Miller latched on to a Barry Ferguson pass to make it 4-0 and when Ricky Gillies pulled one back for St Mirren just before the half-time whistle it was already nothing more than a consolation. Second half efforts from substitute Billy Dodds and Miller, yet again, kept the home crowd happy and Neil McCann completed the rout in stoppage time.

Friday 3rd November 2000

Old Firm League Cup semi Rangers will play Celtic and St Mirren will face Kilmarnock in the semi-finals of the CIS Insurance league Cup in February. The draw, made live on Scottish television, paired Saints and Killie together first, with the obvious Old Firm pairing made moments later. Ties will be played on February 6 and 7 2001 with St Mirren v Kilmarnock at Fir Park, Motherwell and Celtic v Rangers at Hampden Park. Team News Rangers could have Jorg Albertz, Claudio Reyna and Giovanni van Bronckhorst back for tomorrow's clash against St Mirren. One question that remains unanswered, however, it whether coach Dick Advocaat will drop Dutch defender Bert Konterman in favour of Scott Wilson as he keeps one eye on Tuesday night's crucial match against French side Monaco? Konterman is suspended for that game, and no doubt Advocaat will be keen to let Wilson get as much time with Lorenzo Amoruso as he can. Billy Dodds and Kenny Miller will likely start again, with Rod Wallace being kept back for the Champions League tie. Michael Mols has been doing everything asked of him in training, but he's unlikely to be risked against Tom Hendrie's side tomorrow. Murray denies Palermo bid - From the official Rangers Website Chairman David Murray has shot down reports today that Boca Juniors striker Martin Palermo will be coming to Rangers. The Rangers owner revealed their is no truth in the claims that the Light Blues had made contact with the club over the Argentinian frontman. Murray said: "There is an article in The Sun newspaper today that says we are ready to buy the player but that report is nonsense. At no time have Rangers Football Club approached this player. The Sun should check with the club before printing stories regarding transfer speculation in the future."

Wednesday 1st November 2000

Ferguson fit for Saturday New Rangers captain Barry Ferguson will be fit to play in the Premier League game against St Mirren on Saturday. The Scotland international limped out of the action in the 2-0 CIS League Cup win over Dundee United in the final minute of the game. Ferguson appeared to have taken a serious knock to his knee but the Ibrox club have confirmed that the 22-year-old just has a thigh injury. The club expect Ferguson to be stiff for a day or two but manager Dick Advocaat will be relieved that the youngster, who took over as captain from Lorenzo Amoruso in the cup tie, is not seriously injured. A club spokesman said: "Barry has taken a thigh knock and he should be fine for tomorrow or Friday." Advocaat makes the decisions - From the official Rangers Website Dick Advocaat today insisted HE is the only decision maker at Ibrox and said he was doing Lorenzo Amoruso a FAVOUR by stripping him of the captaincy. Amo was sensationally ditched as club captain just 24 hours prior to last night's CIS Insurance Cup victory over Dundee United Ibrox. It was alleged that a player revoke inside the Ibrox dressing room had resulted in Barry Ferguson, who scored in the 2-0 win over the Arabs, being installed as the new skipper. But the Little General this morning hit back at those claims, underlining the fact that only he makes the decision at the football club and that he was simply relieving Amoruso of any unnecessary extra pressure. The Dutchman said: "Despite what you may have read, no one can force me to change things. I do it, not the players or the chairman. When Amoruso came in on Monday morning, I had already made my mind up. I thought it was better for him and the team to appoint another captain. Everyone was jumping on him, right or wrong, when he was not the only one. It was right to bring in a new captain and Amoruso had an excellent match against Dundee United. I think Barry Ferguson showed against Galatasaray that he can take the responsibility and he too had a good game." Advocaat himself has come in for some heavy criticism from some quarters recently but he has made it clear that he is not about to walk away from his job at Ibrox. He said: "It's a bit strange for me. Three weeks ago when we beat Monaco I was a genius, three weeks later they want to kill me. But I suppose that's just the life of a football manager in Scotland." Meanwhile, Advocaat is hopeful his injury list will now ease with Jorg Albertz, Claudio Reyna, Tony Vidmar, Michael Mols and Giovanni van Bronckhorst all poised to return in time for next Tuesday's crucial Champions League encounter with Monaco at Ibrox. Pay-per-view on the way Pay-per-view football could be on supporters' screens in Scotland before the end of the season in a limited experiment. The Bank of Scotland SPL insisted on Tuesday that, despite press reports, no deals have been concluded on the ground-breaking move for British football. However, a statement issued by the SPL, said: "Although none of the details have been finalised, or indeed agreed, we would be looking to test the water with a limited number of games before the end of the season. Pay-per-view will be an additional, optional extra which will complement, not replace, the existing terrestrial and satellite games - it will provide another choice should viewers wish to take it, i.e. they only pay if they want it. We feel it would be irresponsible to enter into a lengthy binding contract without gathering as much information as possible and that is why we are keen to put the theory to the test and find out exactly what the impact is in terms of viewers, revenues etc." Although pay-per-view exists in France and Italy, it has not yet been embraced by the English Premiership, which would make any SPL involvement the first of its kind in Britain. The SPL currently has a contract with Sky to screen 30 live games a season and that list would not be affected.