graced the Ibrox turf for many a year, it'll be a test of skill,
determination and patience. Man U really have been British football's
benchmark for near on a decade now and with plenty of competition that's a
mighty accolade. Their forward movement, pace and interplay can be as
breathtaking as it can be devastating. While the likes of RvN may take the
headlines, Ronaldo the potential, Giggs the glamour the most dangerously
underestimated player in their ranks must be the Ginga Ninja, Scholes. Oh
that he was born down Govan way with a mouthful of shortbread.
But whilst it's easy to spend the day eulogising about them, let's not
forget that or shared objective as Teddies is simply to beat them, and to
beat we need to take advantage of their Achilles Heel, the defence. It's
chopped and changed over the last few years, partly due to injury but it
hasn't had the stability of characters like the Pallister, Bruce days. We
need to ask questions of the defence and cannot afford any passengers,
players must be chomping at the bit and McLeish has to be disciplined in his
team selection. This is a game made for RdB but quite frankly, if he isn't
fit he must not play. Likewise, Capucho, who unless he rediscovers the art
of combining aggression, pace and skill in the next week or so cannot be
given the luxury of a starting place. I'm praying Moore will be fit to
handle RvN while leaving the general defensive marshalling to Berg. The
supporting full backs will also need to be on their toes and I'll leave my
trust in Eck to pick the right men for the right job, although my preference
is always to get Vanoli a starting spot. Emerson and Arteta are no brainers
- a nice complement of skill and aggression from both men and Arteta's
energy levels will ensure he's good for the full 90 minutes. If Mols,
Lovenkrands, RdB and Arveladze all get the nod, which isn't beyond the
realms of possibility, it must be on the strict instruction that they all
come deep to support the midfield as often as is necessary. We cannot allow
ourselves the luxury of 4 wannabee heroes if the remaining complement just
cannot get the ball to them.
Eck carefully marked our cards at the start of the Stuttgart game reminding
us that we were playing an excellent side who at times would dominate the
game and retain possession of the ball - it will be the same on Wednesday
and the same calm heads will be required - remember a goal scored in the
80th minute is no better or worse than one scored in the 15th minute - hang
in there Bears and support the team for the full 90 minutes.
The off field atmosphere is beginning to crackle and for once the club are
doing something, something in my book always being preferable to nothing.
Firstly, the Three Tenors will be there to give us a singalonga FF. I have
to say that I am dismayed when I hear the complaints against these guys who
I saw for the first time at Hampden on Saturday - their giving it laldy all
in aid of unifying us with our club song (Rangers version, not the 'bygone
days' one) - why don't we all just join in in a celebration of Rangers,
rather than opt out or sneer from the sidelines. If general rumours are
right these guys will be roaring on the Gers when the game starts, so lets
lend these fellas some support too. The blue cards will be good on the eye
but in all honesty unnecessary as we're going to have the biggest display of
flags, banners and colours we've seen in many a year. The saltire ratio
will also be higher than the norm and will remind the watching public that
there is indeed one big team in Glasgow very proud of it's country of
origin. I simply cannot wait. The lazy headline writers will shout Battle
of Britain and while it's true that we are the respective champions of our
countries this is first and foremost a battle of Blue Glasgow versus Red
Manchester.
The presence of two gentlemen in the visitors ranks will bring an added
spice to the occasion, Messrs Ferguson and Keane. Firstly, Fergie, the
lapsed bluenose who seemingly has never got over his torment at Ibrox,
blaming all and sundry. Now I'm too young to cast judgement over Mr
Ferguson's career at Ibrox but find it rather strange that he uses his
wife's religion to excuse his departure from Ibrox when he'd been married
for a year prior to signing for Rangers!
That so many former team mates have challenged his interpretation has also
cast doubt on his version but hey, in a day when sports journos prefer using
story-by-numbers formula it makes good copy - chucked out of Ibrox cos my
wife was a catholic. While a history of neglect towards catholics is
undoubtedly a part of Rangers history I suspect Mr Ferguson's well
documented inability to accept criticism is more at play than any sordid
machinations. Is it a west of Scotland male trait from the time? Perhaps.
And it's so sad, so many Rangers fans could have a natural affinity and
goodwill for the man as he excels in his managerial career, but he's blown
that goodwill away and I'm afraid if the consequences are not pretty then
that's the inevitable outcome of west of Scotland male throws two fingers at
a bunch of west of Scotland males.
Given the other visitor, Mr Keane's, time in the spot(flood?)light is going
to be bigger than his bosses, then I suspect he will take the full force of
the audible abuse. Now I've challenged the more moronic elements of the
Rangers support before and you might expect me to do the same and ask for
calm, but I am not. I am going to give Keane as much stick as the next man
- why? Because, quite simply, he's one of the games' niggly in-your-face
characters who thrives on winding up opposition players and managers. It's
the way it is. And he's a nouveau Celtic man to boot. And he had a pop at
Rangers fans in his autobiography.
I cannot conceive of a more suitable player to give abuse to on the Ibrox
pitch - if we cannot give him stick then we all might as well switch to the
theatre.
However, it has to be said that I hope and expect the Rangers support to pay
the courtesy to John O'Shea of not giving him any stick given his country of
origin. O'Shea is a fine player and has always come across as a pleasant
fellow in interviews. To abuse him solely of his country of origin would be
little different to doing it because of his skin colour - just don't do it
Bears, please. I've often seen and heard the conversation about Man U's
Irish and catholic connections but in all honesty I cannot see it's
relevance - how can they be a catholic club when most of the players and
fans are unaware of this or just don't give two hoots (especially the
sizeable Shankill contingent). I'm afraid much of this debate stems from
some desperate need to divide the world into 'proddy' and 'kafflick'. If
this distinction ever existed it was temporary and in the past, and in the
past it must remain.
I'm hoping for a few things on Wednesday - obviously a positive result for
Rangers and a peaceful night for all fans, regardless of their team. We
don't need to become 'special' friends, just respectful acquaintances. I
also want to remember Ibrox in it's full technicolour noisy glory. I want
to hear the more experienced Man U players tell that they have never
experienced a welcoming noise nor match atmosphere like that on their
numerous travels. And I want my flight to be on time. Oh, and did I mention
a Rangers win....
SGT STEVE