Final chapter in McLaren saga

JAMES TRAYNOR

24 Oct 1994

RANGERS and Hearts will meet today to conclude, one way or another, the transfer saga at the centre of which stand a somewhat bemused Alan McLaren, Dave McPherson, and Neil Murray.

Both clubs, apparently, have decided to end the speculation and stalling which has been doing no-one any good, especially the players involved.

McLaren has been linked with a move to Rangers for more than a season, but last week, just when it appeared certain he would sign, the deal hit a snag.

The Scottish international defender had agreed terms, the clubs had agreed a fee -- £1m plus McPherson and Murray -- but McPherson failed to reach agreement on his personal terms.

According to Hearts manager Tommy McLean the deal was dead, but it is more than likely a deal will be struck today, especially since it can now be assumed that McPherson was not asking for ridiculous amounts.

Hearts' major shareholder, Chris Robinson, would then have some money to offer the club's bankers and McLean would have two fresh faces, one of whom, McPherson, should help the cause greatly by being in place when Craig Levein begins an SFA suspension.

Rangers would be confident that their crumbling defensive forces will be strengthened considerably with the arrival of McLaren, a player eager to make a name for himself on the sort of European platforms on which Rangers find themselves.

Celtic also had tried to buy McLaren, but could not come up with the right kind of deal, and their manager, Tommy Burns, will not be too happy about having to face Rangers and McLaren in the season's second Old Firm match next Sunday at Hampden.

Back-to-back premier division defeats have highlighted the weaknesses in Burns' side, who must galvanise themselves for two stiff challenges over the next seven days.

On Wednesday night, Celtic go into what the manager describes as "a big, big game for us" -- the Coca-Cola Cup semi-final against Aberdeen -- and after a few days in which to catch their breath Celtic will be back in action against Rangers.

It is a short but demanding schedule and, frankly, Celtic do not look up to the task.

Burns, like Walter Smith, is now beset with injury problems and will have to do without the services of Lee Martin for some time while the former Manchester United player recovers from a broken leg.

Martin fell awkwardly while trying to prevent Nicky Henderson from scoring Falkirk's first goal at Hampden on Saturday and had to be taken away on a stretcher.

Celtic lost their other full back, Tom Boyd, who twisted a knee and is doubtful for Wednesday night's match, which might mean Burns will have to keep Peter Grant in a full back role.

He and another midfield player, John Collins, fell back to cover for the injured on Saturday, but Burns will have to use Collins in midfield, where his best work is done.

However, Collins and Paul McStay, who is expected to return after injury, must start dominating their areas if Celtic are to have a reasonable chance of ending their long, barren years.

The Coca-Cola Cup offers them their best chance of a trophy and the early relief of knowing a place in next season's UEFA Cup has been secured.

Burns will take his squad to the seaside tomorrow, hoping the night away will help them focus on the challenges ahead, and it will also allow him to decide on a striking partnership.

Andy Walker and Simon Donnelly were left on the bench on Saturday -- "If they are not scoring I have to give others the chance to prove they can get the goals," he said -- preferring instead to start with Charlie Nicholas and Willie Falconer.

Celtic started reasonably well with Nicholas flicking and directing balls neatly and intelligently through Falkirk's defensive line, but no-one followed his thinking properly and eventually he was being bypassed by his team-mates as they became more frantic in their endeavours.

Against Aberdeen they will have to be controlled throughout and ready to take full advantage of any openings.

While Burns has problems, they pale somewhat next to the difficulties being experienced by Willie Miller, whose Aberdeen side have won only one of their 10 premier division matches.

The Dons are joint bottom of the division with Partick Thistle, and Miller knows his days as manager will be numbered unless the team start winning.

In fact, Miller's time could be shortened dramatically if the Dons lose on Wednesday.

Perhaps, however, some of his players, those who do have the skill but for whatever reasons are not displaying it often enough, should be accepting greater responsibility.

They should not be waiting to be motivated, their own pride ought to be kicking in and making them play.

Falkirk's supporters have already discovered that their team are no longer the naive bunch who were relegated from the top flight a couple of seasons ago.

These days they are much more measured and less cavalier in their approach, although still committed to attack.

"Initially, the aim might have been to stay in the premier division," said Joe McLaughlin, whose experience at the back is a crucial factor in Falkirk's wellbeing, "but we really have to aim higher than that and a place in Europe is not an unrealistic target.

We are as good and as strong as any team apart from Rangers."

That is precisely the attitude required.

May he and Falkirk prosper.

Taken from the Herald