Two points but Rangers still not finished article

JAMES TRAYNOR

2 Oct 1989

Rangers 1, Hearts 0

IN the wake of an early and ignominious exit from Europe those legions whose moods, perhaps even quality of lives, depend greatly on Rangers' fortunes would have benefited from seeing their team run Hearts off the Ibrox premises.

The supporters are in need of signs that all again will be well.

They got two points on Saturday, but little else.

These are difficult days to be a fan of Rangers.

Perhaps they have become victims of their own exaggerated expectations.

Rangers have enjoyed domestic success under the guidance of Graeme Souness, who is determined to bring quality performers to the famous Govan parish, but one's aims in football must be adjusted in order to maintain forward momentum.

Europe, it had seemed at the end of last season was the next step.

A couple of additions were made to the playing staff -- Johnston and Steven -- and a mighty wave of arrogant confidence swept the ground.

The premier-division championship was theirs, now it was time to bring on the foreigners.

Bavarian boots arrived first and that was the end of the illusion.

Souness never said his current team would conquer the Continent, but the speed with which he dragged Rangers from mediocrity promised much.

Rangers flatter to deceive.

On paper they look a million dollars, but on the pitch they have been known to suffer from a poverty of imagination.

Yes, they are having to contend with an horrendous casualty list and, of course, indiscipline has cost them key players at crucial times -- the first leg of the European Cup, for instance, when McCoist and Drinkell, who has decided to join Coventry City, were suspended -- but there might be more to it than that.

A fortune has been spent, but still Rangers appear short of genuine quality.

Gary Stevens remains a competent full back, a view which can't be altered because of a £1m price tag, and Chris Woods? If only he were as good as he looks.

His stand-in against Hearts, Bonny Ginzburg, also can cause apoplexy.

There are times when his reflexes are breathtaking, but he, too, can flap at the air when stretching for cross balls.

Still, perhaps we should reserve opinion until he has had an extended run in the first team.

Mark Walters is a first-class player, but hasn't produced the consistency to merit his idolisation.

However, he does have panache, but the frenzy of the premier division may be killing him.

Despite their stuttering start Rangers are a good team, although not as good as many believe and it is perhaps ironic that their most gifted players were wearing the colours before the Holmes-Souness-Murray renaissance.

There was a time not so long ago when it was possible to believe Derek Ferguson and Ian Durrant would become the finest midfield players in the country.

Doubt now surrounds both.

Ferguson, who, like Durrant, has been involved in extra-curricular activities, does not appear able to take command of midfield situations.

Durrant, of course, is still convalescing after a dreadful knee injury and no one can be certain he will return the same player.

That is a great pity for him and his club, who miss him more than any of the others denied them because of injury.

Nevertheless, Souness is making the best of his predicament which became blacker after Saturday's game.

Ian Ferguson hobbled off after half an hour, left ankle ligaments damaged, and will be sidelined for a couple of weeks.

Davie Dodds scampered on to make his debut and the fact that he played in the midfield was further testimony to Souness's plight.

Fortunately for Rangers Johnston always gives value for money and it was he who scored after 35 minutes.

The goal was just reward for the striker.

But what of Hearts? They waited until the second half before playing and are entitled to believe they should have at least had a point.

They gave Rangers a hard time, particularly in the final 15 minutes although they may also have a player who flatters to deceive.

David McCreery gallops all over the pitch shouting and pointing, but he doesn't seem to contribute much to the beauty of the game.

McCreery might just be an icon of the premier division itself.

RANGERS -- Ginzburg, Stevens, Munro, Gough, Wilkins, Butcher, Steven, Ferguson, McCoist, Johnston, Walters.

Substitutes -- Cowan, Dodds.

HEARTS -- Smith, McLaren, McKinlay, Levein, Kirkwood, McPherson, Colquhoun, Mackay, Robertson, Crabbe, McCreery.

Substitutes -- Foster, Bannon.

Referee -- M McGinley (Clydebank).