Rangers Preview

Last updated : 17 October 2002 By Firparkcorner

Captain Scott to return?
We managed only one point from six in the home games against Dundee and Aberdeen. Given this disappointing statistic, it is hard to see our appalling record at Ibrox improving this weekend. We have not won there in five years and have taken only one point since then. It would take an unbalanced ‘Well fan to predict anything other than a defeat.

Of course, we have been up against it in the past and produced astonishing results. With no McFadden due to suspension and Scott Leitch still recovering from injury, we will have to dig into our reserves to produce a starting eleven. This may pave the way for Stephen Pearson to return to midfield, something that will be a large boost. We will undoubtedly be playing on the break, so Steven Ferguson might prove useful with his pace.

Rangers have had an impressive start to the season with the exception of a disastrous European exit to Viktoria Zizkov. They are sitting at the top of the table and are unbeaten in the league. Injuries to Neil McCann and Shota Arveladze certainly won’t do us any harm but given their squad, it will hardly have them trembling. Ronald de Boer is finally looking like the world-class player he is and he will be a prime target for some early treatment.

It won’t be a pretty game to watch but if we can press and hassle Rangers then their fans could well turn on them. Will that make a difference? Probably not. It looks like the best we can hope for is to escape with a respectable defeat and to keep our spirits up for the next round of fixtures.

Terry Butcher has threatened to go out and attack this Saturday which, given our defensive problems, may not be a bad idea. However, the outcome will be much the same. If we defend, we’ll make mistakes and lose. If we attack we’ll inevitably get caught out and lose a stupid goal. It’s a tough decision for the manager to make but at least the expectation of the fans is low.

Miracles do happen but not this weekend.

Rangers 3-0 Motherwell.