Latest News

Week Beginning 3 January 1998

8 January 1998

Rangers got some good news yesterday when it was announced that Sebastian Rozental can begin training again immediately. Walter Smith said, "Sebastian can restart training and we hope that everything will be okay this time. The doctor who performed the operations on him has been in consultation with our own medical staff and we'll see how it goes from here. He might have to put up with a bit of pain for a while before it settles down."

Scotland manager Craig Brown insisted that Ally McCoist can still prove his fitness before the World Cup. He said, "it's far too premature to say that McCoist is out of the World Cup. Even if he's out for two months then he'd still have March, April and May to get back to fitness. The teams that want to take him on loan just now will probably be even more desperate for him when he's recovered. If he was to join one of them and do very well in the last few months of the season then he will be in my plans. Some people seem to think that even if Ally doesn't make it into my squad that I'd take him along just to keep the spirits up. It's a ridiculous suggestion. Yes, he's good for morale but we have no shortage of morale in the squad."

Ottmar Hitzfeld has announced that he is going to resign his post with Borussia Dortmund. He coached the Germans to the European Cup last season before becoming he club's director of sport. Hitzfeld said last month that he had been contacted bt Rangers' representatives. A Dortmund spokesman said, "Ottmar is now waiting for offers. He says he honestly does not know at this stage where he will go. I spoke to him for over an hour last night and I think he would prefer to coach in the Bundesliga or in the south of Europe. But I also know he has spoken to people who represent Glasgow Rangers and it is possible that he will go there. He intends to make a public announcement in March or April."

Hitzfeld said, "I still see myself more as a coach than a manager and it is 99 per cent certain that I'll return to coaching. I've been able to experience seven fantastic years in Dortmund, it was like a fairy tale. I haven't negotiated with any other club or agreed a contract. I'll wait and see what happens and concentrate on my work with Borussia."

Rangers are being linked with a move for Aberdeen defender Stephen Glass who is out of contract at the end of the season. The Sun reports that Aberdeen might be willing to accept a £1 million offer for the 21 year old rather than lose him for nothing in the summer. Walter Smith is known to be a huge admirer of the player and might be willing to offer a players plus cash deal to get his man.

Stuart McCall has rejected the chance of becoming manager at Bradford City. The English club contacted him earlier this week to sound him out about a possible move but McCall has decided to stay put. He said, "I've still got a lot to do here. It's just a wee bit early for me. I've got a lot to offer Rangers and there's a good couple of years left in me yet."

Brain Laudrup admitted that Celtic won last week's Old Firm match because they were 'hungrier' than his own side. He told the Rangers News, " Celtic were by far the hungrier side last Friday and showed more desire than us to win the match. Derby matches are normally very competitive and there is not often a great deal of good football played, but that was no excuse for our performance last week. In the whole of the second-half we failed to string three passes together and that is not acceptable. We had terrible problems in getting the ball forward and if you are not getting any service it's impossible to create chances."

"People say the Celtic defence was terrific, and they did play well, but we made it easy for them because our ball control and passing were so poor. It is vital that we address the problems which hindered us at Parkhead and contributed to our own downfall. In the last couple of years we have not played well at Parkhead at times, but we have still come away with the points. However this time we did not get away with it. We played badly and certainly deserved to get beaten. Records have to be broken some time and I would definitely rather lose to Celtic now than in our last meeting in April which will be crucial. Hopefully we can stay in there until the end of the season. It will be tough but we have done it in the past."

7 January 1998

Ally McCoist's hopes of ending his career by playing in the World Cup finals is now in doubt. The Rangers striker is suffering from a knee injury which could prevent him playing for at least two months. McCoist went for an X-ray yesterday which revealed ligament damage and he was ordered to rest for four to six weeks. The news will also disappont a host of clubs north and south of the border who hoped to sign McCoist on loan. The knee was damaged in a training ground tackle by Stephen Wright a few weeks ago and although he felt a lingering pain McCoist kept training.

Walter Smith insisted that McCoist can still make the World Cup. He said, "Ally has been troubled by this injury recently. Although he seemed to have recovered he was still suffering pain in his knee, so we sent him to see a specialist. Obviously the decision on his Scotland future is up to Craig Brown, but I expect him to be back playing before the end of February and there would still be time to prepare."

Universidad Cattolica want Rangers to allow Sebastian Rozental join them on loan. The club admit they can't afford to buy back the £4 million star but president Manuel Belez has said Rangers should allow him to play for them in the South American Club Championship in April to get him ready for France 98. Rozental's specialist, Dr Carlos de la Barrera, arrived in Glasgow yesterday to examine the player accompanied by Cattolica director Harold Mayne-Nicholls. Dr de la Barrera said, "we will go to Scotland to try to determine Rozental's current physical situation. We will then see if it would be better for him to return to Chile to continue with his treatment. I am was baffled by the breakdown. When I examined Sebastian before he left Chile he was ready to play again."

Manuel Belez said, "it depends on how long it will take Sebastian to get ready to play again. If he's back by February then obviously he should stay in Scotland. But if he takes longer then we will try to bring him back to Chile." Rangers are unlikely to consider such a move. Walter Smith said, "there is absolutely no chance of us allowing that to happen."

Hamilton have been given permission to switch their Scottish Cup tie with Rangers to Fir Park. Hamilton secretary Scott Struthers said, "we've always got on well with Motherwell and we are pleased they have let us use their ground. Under league rules we have to come to a cash agreement for hire of the ground and we are pleased to have reached that with no problems." Hamilton fans will be given 3,500 tickets for the Main Stand while Rangers fans will be given the other three sides of the ground.

Stuart McCall is being targeted for the managers position at former club Bradford City. He is being lined up as a possible replacement for Chris Kamara who was sacked yesterday. First choice for the post is former Everton boss Joe Royle but McCall is on a short list along with Manchester City manager Frank Clark. McCall is still a huge hero at Bradford and would prove to be a major draw for fans. That may tempt Bradford to match his Ibrox salary. The Rangers midfielder has admitted in the past that he would love to be manager at Bradford one day, but just now may be too soon for him because he is totally committed to winning 10-in-a-row and hopes to make the World Cup finals with Scotland.

Rangers face a battle with Leeds United for St Johnstone defender Callum Davidson's signature. Walter Smith confirmed that he is interested in the 20 year old. He said, " we have had Callum watched on a regular basis over the past few weeks and I have had very favourable reports." Leeds scout Ian McNiell said, "we know Rangers are in and we expect something to happen this week. We want to talk to the boy too and tell him to come here."

The SFA have confirmed that Paul Gascoigne's flute playing antics are not included in the referee's match report. SFA spokesman Drew Herbertson said, "the referee's report does not include the incident which means on one side of the matter it is finished. But it could still be discussed at either the Disciplinary Committee or the General Purposes Committee. It could also re-emerge via the police who may take the opportunity to inform the Association through their channels."

Former Rangers defender Basile Boli has been forced to quit football at the age of 31. Boli who was capped 45 times for France has had problems since a violent collision with his goalkeeper during a UEFA Cup match between Monaco and Leeds United in 1995. He told France Football magazine, "It was in Japan, when I signed for Urawa Reds in 1996, that the extent of my difficulties was revealed. I have head troubles every day. I wake up every morning and it's as if I'd been covered in lead." Boli plans to retire to the Ivory Coast.

6 January 1998

Sebastian Rozental has broken down in training again amid fears that his career may be over. Rangers are so concerned about the injury that they have called in the South American surgeon who operated on Rozental last year. He will fly into Glasgow tomorrow to assess the extent of the latest damage to the player's knee. The 21 year old was expected to return to first team action later this month. He was just about to complete an extensive training programme when he felt discomfort and after a short rest it was decided to bring in the specialist who did the repair work on his knee.

Rangers are being linked with a move for £1 million rated St Johnstone left-back Callum Davidson. Arsenal and Leeds have been tracking the defender for months but Rangers seem set to move in within the next fortnight. Ibrox scout Ewan Chester made a check on Davidson in Saturday's win over Dunfermline and returned with rave reviews about the youngster. Walter Smith is desperate for a left back to throw straight into the first team. Tony Vidmar and Staale Stensaas were brought in during the summer to bolster that position but both players have failed to impress.

5 January 1998

The incident involving Paul Gascoigne on Friday continues to dominate the newspapers. Gascoigne's advisor Mel Stein defended his actions before the Chelsea v Manchester United FA Cup tie yesterday. He said, "of course I am aware of the publicity in Scotland surrounding this incident. But where is the publicity about the actions of the Celtic supporters, who were chanting 'Gazza beats his wife'."

Rangers will take action against Gascoigne even if the SFA and police decide to do nothing about his antics. Walter Smith said, "this isn't something we want to see. I don't want to start saying in public what will happen but he'll be dealt with internally."

Smith refused to let the incident deflect his team's poor showing in the match. He said, "I don't understand those who are now saying it will cost us the title. Perhaps the criticism of Rangers has been severe because of our past results there. But I do accept there is room for improvement in my side and I'm sure we will respond."

SFA President Jack McGinn, a former Celtic director said, "we won't do anything until the referee's report arrives and after that it is a question of whether it is raised from elsewhere. I've read that complaints have been made to the police but that remains unofficial until we hear from them."

The media continues to report that Rangers are trying to sign American goalkeeper Brad Friedel. The player joined Liverpool three weeks ago despite Rangers' interest but there still seems to be problems over his work permit. Liverpool only secured a work permit for Friedel on appeal and the main concern is that he will not play enough games in order for him to have work permit renewed when it expires on June 30th. Manager Roy Evans admitted, "the work permit is a problem, but who plays in the side must depend on the goalkeepers' form, not the permit renewal. It's very tricky for me."

Rangers are still being linked with Argentinian youngster Marcelo Gallardo who currently plays for South American champions River Plate. The Argentinian club's managing director, Mario Isreal, disclosed he would be willing to let Gallardo go to the first club to match their £12 million asking price. Rangers, Valencia, Newcastle, Lazio and Parma have all expressed an interest in the 20 year old midfielder who has over 40 international caps.

Rangers have been drawn against Hamilton in the third round of the Scottish Cup. Celtic were given a home match against Morton and Hearts will play Clydebank or Montrose but the pick of the ties has to be Dundee United v Aberdeen. The matches will be played on 24 January.

Chelsea are the latest club said to be 'leading the race for Brian Laudrup's signature. Ruud Gullit has apparently targeted the Dane as his key summer signing. Laudrup said, "it's flattering to have so many clubs interested but this is normal following the Bosman ruling. There are interesting offers from all over Europe but I won't decide until late March or early April. The Premiership is not necessarily my No.1 choice because there are good leagues all over Europe. Playing in England would be an interesting prospect but I haven't made my mind up yet."

4 January 1998

Arsenal are reported as being favourites to sign Brian Laudrup at the end of the season if he chooses to leave Ibrox. Their manager Arsene Wenger has told Laudrup's agent Vicenzo Morabito he is desperate to land the player. The Dane is said to want his children Nikolai and Rasmine continue to learn English so a move to the Premiership would seem to be ideal if he is to leave Scotland. Laudrup said, "I've had between 15 and 20 clubs phoning but I will choose for my family. It must be somewhere they can enjoy because they have made sacrifices for my career."

Manchester United are another club which have sounded out Laudrup about a move. Manager Alex Ferguson is understood to have wanted Laudrup for the European Cup quarter-final with Monaco in March. Laudrup insisted, "I'm very flattered that a club like Manchester United are interested but I will announce my decision in March."

Charlie Miller will make a reserve team comeback this week after spending six weeks on the sidelines with ankle ligament damage. His ankle was put into plaster but it has responded well to treatment and he is now back in training.

Trevor Francis will renew his attempts to sign Ally McCoist on loan for Birmingham within the next 48 hours. The veteran Rangers striker is likely to reject the move as he holds out for a move to America. Tampa Bay Mutiny are favourites to land McCoist but he will remain at Ibrox for the time being with Seb Rozental a month away from match fitness.

McCoist will hold talks with Craig Brown before going on loan this month. He desperately wants a place at next summer's World Cup finals but knows that choosing the wrong club could wreck his international chances. English clubs Everton, Sunderland, Wolves, Birmingham and Fulham have all expressed an interest along with Scottish sides St Mirren, Raith Rovers, Hamilton Airdrie and Falkirk. The Rangers striker said, "once I have had a chat with Walter the first person I'll speak to is Craig Brown. At the moment things are still up in the air and I've not ruled anything in or out. There is no point in me going on loan somewhere if it's going to hamper my chances of playing for Scotland again, because I am desperate to prolong my international career."

George Best is the latest person to criticise Paul Gascoigne for his antics as he warmed up at Parkhead on Friday. He said, "Gascoigne is a class player but he will have to call a halt to these antics. He really should be punished for this."

SFA chief executive Jim Farry was unsure about whether the SFA would take any action. He said, "we'll have to wait and see the referee's report. If the incident is included then the Disciplinary Committee will decide what action to take. TV evidence is only used in particular instances to deal with misconduct which has been brought to our attention. As yet nothing has been reported." Since the incident took place off-field it is unlikely that any of the officials will have seen the gesture. That means the SFA will not get involved and will let Rangers deal with the matter internally. The Police will speak to Rangers officials tomorrow to find out what action has been taken before they decide whether to take the matter any further.

Celtic defender Alan Stubbs insists the referee was right not to award a penalty to Rangers after he appeared to up-end Brian Laudrup at the edge of the box in the first half on Friday. He said, "Brian went across the face of me and I stretched to try and win the ball. I may not have made contact with the ball but any contact with Brian was minimal. I realise it may have looked like a penalty but in my opinion Brian went down very easily. I'm not criticising him for that. In a similar position I'd expect our players to go down too. The referee was well placed and obviously saw what happened."

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