Sad Al quits

WHILE some at Ibrox yesterday were upset at being left out of Scotland's World Cup squad, Gers defender Alan McLaren was coming to terms with the fact he'll never play football again.

He won't face Brazil at the Stade de France next month or feature in another game at Ibrox or Tynecastle.

Aged just 27, the Rangers ace chose yesterday to announce his retirement from football due to a persistent knee injury.

While his team-mates, bubbling and buoyant, went about their preparations for Saturday's Tennents Scottish Cup final against Hearts, McLaren was reduced to tears as he made his emotional announcement.

He said: "It's been coming and I made the decision months ago.

I'm quite happy it's now out in the open.

"It was not a hard decision to make - but I'm devastated by it."

Over the past two seasons, McLaren, who ended his career almost five years to the day after he made his Scotland debut, has been dogged by injury.

And despite two operations, and a brave fightback after each trip to the surgeon, McLaren has finally been left with no option but to throw in the towel.

Emotion

He explained: "I played in Ian Durrant's testimonial match but I'd been facing up to this day and I knew around the end of February that things were not getting any better and I'd have to quit.

"The fact that there are a few players going after Saturday has added to the emotion.

"But I've put off making this announcement because I didn't want to scupper their hopes in the championship.

"The gaffer though said this was now the time to do it.

"I could have the operation again.

I've had it twice before but each time there is less chance of it working and the injury could get worse.

"I've actually trained the last two days, and so long as I do nothing too difficult, I'm able to do that.

"But when I played a match, I felt it for a few days after it."

McLaren, who will always be remembered for his outstanding performance as man- marker against Roberto Baggio at Ibrox in the World Cup qualifier against Italy in 1992, enjoyed more highs than lows as a player.

And it's those he'll remember.

"I don't feel bitter.

I've had 11 great years - and that's 11 years more than some players get.

"I've got three championship medals, a Cup winners medal and I've played for my country.

I'd have taken that when I was 16 and starting out in the game.

So I've got good memories and no regrets."

Rangers manager Walter Smith, who signed the then Hearts stopper in 1994, was clearly upset when McLaren made his announcement.

The Ibrox boss said: "I'm disappointed from a personal point of view that any player I've been involved with should be forced out of the game through injury, especially when he had as much to offer.

"It hard to accept and when he's only a kid in football terms, its a big disappointment."

Smith is in no doubt that the talented stopper could easily have been leading Rangers in Saturday's final, and perhaps even Scotland to France this summer.

"I don't think anyone who saw him play would disagree with that assessment.

"He would have been captain of Rangers without a doubt, and the obvious progression would have been to do the same with Scotland.

"Alan missed half of last season and when he came back he had more problems but soldiered on and helped us win that ninth championship." McLaren will stay on at Ibrox for another year, during which time he will complete a business management course.

And a benefit game is likely to be staged in the near future for the player.

McLaren's former Ibrox and international team-mate Stuart McCall, meanwhile, is getting all revved up for Saturday's Cup Final clash with Hearts.

McCall had known nothing but that winning feeling since he arrived from Everton during Walter Smith's first full season in charge.

Success

And at Parkhead on Saturday, the midfielder is desperate to salvage something from what has been a silverware-free term so far.

He said: "Rangers have had a decade of success and I've been fortunate enough since arriving here at Rangers in 1991 to have seven great years.

"You get ups and downs and unfortunately, what with the League Championship and missing out with Scotland, the last few days have been major downs for us.

"I'm very determined.

Over the last seven years, Rangers have got through many matches just on hunger and desire.

"I'm confident and determined that will be the case on Saturday.

The disappointment of the last few days acts as a spur.

"We've been so inconsistent this season.

We didn't just lose it last week title-wise

"But in this one-off game, the Cup final, there is a lot of determination in the camp to make sure we do it."

Rangers start favourites, after remaining unbeaten against the Jambos this term, and they have previous final wins - 5-1 in the '96 Scottish Cup and 4-3 later that year in the Coca-Cola Cup - to boost their confidence.

"We've played really well against Hearts this season and there isn't any reason why we shouldn't play well against them this Saturday," said McCall, who will say goodbye to departing boss Smith and several team- mates after the Cup clash.

"Hearts will be thinking third time lucky.

We've beaten them twice in the last two Cup finals, they've had a smashing season, and will want to finish with a trophy.

"It will be another good, open, entertaining game, and if it's another 4-3 - although Andy Goram won't like me saying that - then I'd take it.

"There will be a lot of emotion going on.

It's a lot of people's farewell game.

"But we owe the supporters a trophy, as we do Walter Smith."