Rangers after capital cheer

ian paul

4 Sep 1991

AS a rule, victory in an Old Firm match provides a launch pad for a successful period for the winners but, if that is to be the case this week, Rangers will have to overcome Hearts, the only team to have beaten them this season, writes Ian Paul.

When they meet in a Skol Cup quarter-final at Tynecastle tonight the Edinburgh side will not be short of confidence that they can repeat the league success of a couple of weeks ago.

They are unbeaten so far and if they maintain that record they will go into tomorrow's draw for the semi-finals.

Rangers, however, have a tremendous record in this tournament and their stock is genuinely high after their 2-0 win over Celtic on Saturday at Parkhead.

"Undoubtedly that win helps confidence a great deal," said manager Walter Smith.

"An Old Firm game is just like a cup-tie and winning that one is as good a preparation for this as we could get.

But at the same time the home team in this competition has a big advantage, with no replay available."

Smith is unlikely to change the winning side of Saturday, although he adds Oleg Kuznetsov and Ian Durrant to the pool.

He points out that Hearts' defensive record has been impressive but would settle for the chances made and missed in the last meeting when his side lost 1-0.

"It was only the third game of the season and I believe strikers take a little longer to get consistency than other players," he said.

"We made a few decent chances, nothing great, but I would like to think we could take them if we get the opportunity again."

Hearts' experienced midfield player, Gary Mackay, agrees with a great deal of Smith's assessment.

"People talk about our front three and it is true they are dangerous, but the defence has been doing really well."

Evidence of that is given by the return to the international fold of goalkeeper Henry Smith, who has had five shut-outs in succession.

"You can't expect to deny Rangers any chances but you can try to keep them to a minimum.

That is what we did last time and will be trying to do again."

Manager Joe Jordan has a rich choice of defensive players available for the first time.

With Graeme Hogg back after suspension, Craig Levein, Dave McPherson, and Alan McLaren at the ready there is a solid look about the Tynecastle defence.

It could be a late night show before the issue is settled.

Unfortunately for armchair supporters the match will not be shown live on BSkyB, but the satellite company plan to show the game later in the evening.

Taken from the Herald