Captain has no regrets facing his final fling; Gough wants last cup win.

RICHARD Gough said a tearful farewell to the legions of Rangers fans 12 months ago, only to say 'hello' again just a few months later.

This afternoon, the Rangers skipper will say goodbye for good to the Ibrox club - as a player at least.

There were tears on Tayside when Goughie lifted the Championship trophy, believing that would be his last act as Gers leader.

But, having answered Walter Smith's mayday call earlier this term, Richard has another chance to hold a piece of silverware aloft today at Parkhead.

"Twelve months ago, I thought that was it when I bowed out at Tannadice.

"It was an emotional night, not just because I thought it was the last time I'd be involved, although I didn't play, with a Rangers team.

"But we'd achieved something special in winning the title to make it nine-in-a-row.

When I left, I left a winner.

I didn't think I'd be coming back to do it all again, although I'm not complaining.

"But I'd thought I had gone out on a high last season, and I want to do the same again.

"Coming back was a bit of a risk, because of everything I achieved during my time at Rangers.

To maintain that record of finishing every season I've played here with a trophy, we have to win on Saturday."

On Saturday, Rangers and Gough missed out on a re-run of last term.

Despite winning at his former Tayside home, Celtic's victory at Parkhead prevented any celebrations amongst the Ibrox contingent.

That though, is in the past for Gough.

He and his team-mates have a Cup final against Hearts to look ahead to - and try and win.

Block

"It was a disappointing weekend, but this week we've trained well and spent a few days at our retreat and we'll be up for this one.

"It will be a very difficult game.

Hearts have had a very good season, although they've tailed off over the last month.

"They have players who could make it very difficult for us, like Neil McCann, Paul Ritchie, David Weir and Steve Fulton.

They've been on the top of their game right through the season.

"They've also got players who have been around the block a few times, like wee Robbo and Davie McPherson.

That's no bad thing.

"So they have a team with some good young players and a bit of experience.

We have to combat them.

If we do, that will decide the way the match goes."

Since Graeme Souness took over in 1986, Rangers have lifted at least one pot every season.

Gough, who has experienced that winning, and losing feeling in Cup finals, knows this is their last hope of maintaining that run.

"Over the period, we've been a winning team, and we've had a winning manager.

It would be nice to go out doing the same.

"It hasn't happened since 85/86 season that Rangers haven't won anything - which was way before my time.

"It's difficult winning, and people don't realise that.

"Sometimes, because you've had success, it's taken for granted that you will win a trophy or two every season.

But it is hard work.

"In my time, I played in about seven or eight Cup finals with Dundee United, Spurs and Rangers and I think I've lost as many as I've won."

Breaks

One which he and Rangers won was two years ago, when Hearts were again the opposition in one of the most one-sided finals in years.

"The 1996 final was by far the most comfortable win I've enjoyed.

"When you go three or four-one up you can start to enjoy it a bit.

"We played some really good football that day.

In saying that, we still needed a wee bit of luck.

You can play great football and if you don't get the breaks, you don't win."

And Gough has spotted similarities between the build up to that match and this year's final at Parkhead.

"There is a similar scenario here.

Hearts had beaten us in the league very comfortably a few weeks before and they were really up for the final.

"We used that as a motivating factor for the final.

People were saying the Hearts were really the favourites going into that game, having beaten us three or four week previously.

"The reverse could now happen, because we turned them over really easily a few weeks ago at Tynecastle.

"So I'm sure that they'll be recalling that game and using that to fire themselves up.

"That day we beat them 3-0 at Tynecastle, that was as poor as I've seen Hearts for three or four years.

"Jim Jefferies had them in the next day for training after telling them if you can't work on a Saturday, you'll work on the Sunday!"

Hard work is something Gough, now 36, hasn't shirked during his career, hence the reason he is still going while others have retired.

And he has no intention of giving up just yet either.

Gough's schedule over the past two years would have frightened players 10 years younger.

"I don't feel 36.

I've played something like 95 games without a break.

A few months ago, we had a week off and I headed back to Cape Town for wee break, and a wee bit of sun, just to recharged the batteries.

"At my age it's better just to keep going.

You never know how long you have left - but I'm also worried that if I do stop I might not get started again!

"My one fear about coming back, and I discussed it with Walter Smith before I returned, was my age.

I was just a bit worried that I could keep playing without picking up injuries.

"I came back, because of injuries to Alan McLaren and Lorenzo Amoruso.

If they had been fit, I'd have had six months holiday over the winter!

Management

"Saturday will be my 30th game for Rangers this season, and I'm happy with that.

"I feel very good - so good in fact, that on Monday I'll head out to San Jose where I hope to play another 30 games.

"I've signed a two year contract with a year's option.

I stop getting money in December '99.

But I'll play for as long as possible."

One can imagine Gough, suited up, climbing the famous marble staircase at Ibrox to his office.

Over the past week, he's given enough hints that coaching, or management, is something he would consider in the coming years.

"I'll start coaching in America, and who knows after that.

"Some people went into management because they had nothing else to fall back on, to pay the mortgage.

"These days, with what players are being paid, they don't need to stay in football.

But it's something I've thought about.

He concluded: "But that's a few years away yet.

Just now, I'm still a player - playing to win."