Big finale should cap a tough old season

Murdo MacLeod

16 May 1998

Murdo MacLeod assesses the finalists When Richard Gough is in the side he gives the rest a lift.

He is the original leader-type and whether he plays well or not so well his presence gives players a boost FEW people have given the two cup finalists the once-over or even thrice-over this season as thoroughly as Murdo MacLeod, Celtic's assistant manager who had very professional reasons for knowing as much as possible about the two teams who challenged his own for the premier-division championship .

MacLeod took time off from the Parkhead controversies this week to talk about Rangers and Hearts, their particular strengths and how the destination of the Tennents Scottish Cup for 1998 might be decided.

Celtic, as every Old Firm fan knows, had limited success against their Glasgow rivals but did beat them at New Year and also drew with them.

Hearts, on the other hand, were unable to beat Celtic or Rangers in the league campaign.

Psychologically, in MacLeod's view, the advantage could swing either way.

Hearts, not having been able to beat Rangers in a couple of finals in recent times, need to push that behind them, in his view, and Rangers have to wipe out the memory of losing out in the title race.

The Celtic man recognises that the absence of Jorg Albertz and Jonas Thern is a serious set-back to the Ibrox game plan.

''The two of them have been so influential in the later weeks of the season, especially as they pushed us for the championship, that it is bound to be a massive blow to lose them.

''We always knew Albertz could score goals but his outfield play was very impressive.

Thern started to become more and more involved and was hitting his best form.'' MacLeod, none the less, does not think for a second that their absence will leave Rangers struggling.

''No matter who comes in they will be quality players, and some of them will be playing maybe their last game for Rangers and will make sure they want to go out on a high.

In fact, as many as seven players could be involved today for the last time in a Rangers shirt, and the Celtic assistant manager believes they will take this finale as a ''massive spur''.

''There are so many of them going that they will definitely want to go out as winners.'' He doesn't imagine that the emotion of it being the last fling will overcome the Rangers men.

''I doubt that very much.

They are all really good professionals and they have a lot of pride.

They will want to go out on a high.'' MacLeod paid tribute to two of the Rangers players who will be having their valedictory day out at Parkhead, captain Richard Gough and keeper Andy Goram.

''When Richard is in the side he gives the rest a lift.

He is the original leader-type and whether he plays well or not so well his presence gives players a boost.'' If Goram is fit to take his final bow, MacLeod reckons that, too, would be a boost for his team mates.

''Even in games this season against ourselves, if it hadn't been for Andy we would have scored four or five times.

''That is the way he has been against Celtic for years.

I would guess he has made two mistakes in about five years.

It is not a bad record.'' Hearts have to overcome the track record against the Old Firm and MacLeod says that this kind of thing is always in the back of a player's mind.

''But they will think that a cup final is exactly the right time to end that run.'' Macleod is unstinting in his admiration of the general quality of the Tynecastle side.

''Paul Ritchie has been one of the mainstays of their season.

Anything in the centre of defence is his.

He is quick, has a good attitude and for his height is good in the air.

''David Weir has matured in the last couple of seasons to become an accomplished player.

He has formed a fine partnership with Ritchie.'' One success at Tynecastle which has pleased Murdo greatly is the emergence as a top player of Steve Fulton.

''I knew Stevie when he was just a lad at Parkhead.

''Things didn't happen for him over the next few years there, but he deserves an awful lot of credit for the season he has had.

''I think he has been training harder, is a lot fitter and has been rewarded with two ''B'' caps.

His performances have been of a high standard this year.'' MacLeod is also an admirer of Colin Cameron.

''He is difficult to pick up because of his runs into the box and has been a problem for most teams this season.

''He supports all the time as well.

Overall, they are a well- balanced side and they have been fortunate to be nearly injury-free.'' He acknowledges that Hearts will be desperate to win a trophy after doing so well in the title race.

''But you can't really tell how dropping out of the race will affect them.

The have bounced back, though, and that was important.

They will always compete.'' Switching back to Rangers, MacLeod inevitably came to talk about Brian Laudrup.

''He may not have been quite as good this season as in the past, but that was a hell of a standard to keep up.

''He will cause problems for any defence.

However, the whole thing about Rangers is that they are always difficult to beat and they think like winners.'' Who will win? The chance of a straight answer were as good as Wim Jansen and Jock Brown exchanging Christmas cards.

''The best team'' he said accurately, if not grammatically.

Road to the final RANGERS Jan 24: Third round - Hamilton (away) won 2-1 (Durie, Gough).

Feb 14: Fourth round - Motherwell (away) drew 2-2 (Negri, Durie).

Feb 17: Fourth round replay - Motherwell (home) won 3-0 (Albertz 2, Durie).

Mar 9: Fifth round - Dundee (home) drew 0-0.

Mar 18 - Fifth round replay - Dundee (away) won 2-1 (McCoist 2).

Apr 5: semi-final - Celtic (Parkhead) won 2-1 (McCoist, Albertz).

HEARTS Jan 24: Third round - Clydebank (home) won 2-0 (Flogel, Weir).

Feb 14: Fourth round - Albion Rovers (home) won 3-0 (Quitongo 2, Cam-eron, pen).

Mar 7: Fifth round - Ayr United (home) won 4-1 (Ritchie, Flogel, Fulton, Hamilton).

Apr 4: semi-final - Falkirk (Ibrox) won 3-1 (Adam 2, McCann).

Taken from the Herald