Report Index--> 1997-98--> All for 19980516 | ||||
<-Page | <-Team | Sat 16 May 1998 Hearts 2 Rangers 1 | Team-> | Page-> |
<-Srce | <-Type | News of the World ------ Report | Type-> | Srce-> |
Jim Jefferies | <-auth | Graeme Bryce | auth-> | Willie Young |
[A McCoist 81] | ||||
123 | of 138 | Colin Cameron pen 1 ;Stephane Adam 52 | SC | N |
How they rated; FootballSource: News of the World (London, England). (May 17, 1998): Sports: p85. Byline: Graeme Bryce * HEARTS GILLES ROUSSET. No sign of nerves as the big Frenchman laid the ghost of 96 to rest with a flawless display. Great stop from Amoruso's 40-yard free-kick. Mark (out of 10) 8 DAVE McPHERSON. The veteran defender led by example and steadied the Jambos as Gers frantically tried to get back into the game. Rating 7 GARY NAYSMITH. The teenager left Porrini gasping with one run. One of Scotland's brightest young players lived up to his billing - but survived a late sweat when Gers claimed he handled in the box. Rating 7 DAVID WEIR. Sloppy use of the ball let him down too often for his liking and maybe lucky to stay on the park after a 'last man' tackle on McCoist which Rangers were convinced was a penalty. Rating 6 STEFANO SALVATORI. Anchored Hearts' midfield and waged a Latin war with fellow Italian Rino Gattuso. Rating 6 PAUL RITCHIE. Magnificent in the air, Hearts' outstanding young defender banished the Blues after his nightmare against Brian Laudrup two years ago. Came of age yesterday. Rating 9 NEIL McCANN. Had Jim Jefferies in a lather for failing to track back and match Bjorklund's runs. Lived up to his 'enigma' tag and was booked for one fall too many. Rating 6 STEVE FULTON. Positive attitude straight from kick-off set the tone for Jambos earning that sensational spot kick after 30 seconds. Played a real captain's part. Rating 9. STEPHANE ADAM. Held play up superbly to allow midfield to flood forward. Capped a magnificent display with his 12th and most important strike of the season. Rating 8 COLIN CAMERON. Coolest man at Celtic Park as he slammed home his dramatic opening-minute penalty to make it four out of four from the spot this season. Rating 7 THOMAS FLOGEL. Seldom in the thick of the action. But when the Austrian was on the ball he seldom wasted it. Disciplined enough to crowd out Gattuso after Laudrup hit the post. Rating 6 Subs. JIM HAMILTON (3). Came on for Adam and was booked within two minutes for a tussle with Lorenzo Amoruso. * RANGERS ANDY GORAM. No chance at the penalty and will be disappointed he got a hand to Adam's second but couldn't keep it out. Rating 6 SERGIO PORRINI. A poor performance from a player who has played at an even higher level in European Cup Finals. Too sloppy too often for Walter Smith's liking. Rating 5 STAALE STENSAAS. The Norwegian full-back has waited all season to show Gers fans what he can do. Oh well, there's always next season. Rating 3 RICHARD GOUGH. Gave his usual 100 per cent and battled bravely to inspire his team-mates. But his class of 98 must be a sad let down compared to their illustrious predecessors. Rating 7 LORENZO AMORUSO. The Italian gifted Hearts' second goal. Jambos have waited 36 years for a trophy and Amo waited almost as long for the ball to drop, letting in Adam. Rating 5 JOACHIM BJORKLUND. Played as a right back and was involved in a few high-speed chases with fellow sprint specialist Neil McCann. Rating 5 RINO GATTUSO. He ran, he snarled, he harried, he was booked. But rushing Rino covered every inch of Celtic Park and now and again, even managed to play a bit of football!. Rating 7 IAN FERGUSON. Failed to dominate the middle of the park and couldn't prevent Stevie Fulton taking a grip of the game. But typically never hid when the going got tough...on this occasion after 30 seconds. Rating 6 GORDON DURIE. Failed to trouble Rousset and that must worry Scotland boss Craig Brown. Brazil will not be any easier than Hearts. Rating 5 STUART McCALL. An honest day's work but like so much of his season, it was to end in disappointment as he was replaced by Ian Durrant. Sad Stu failed to shrug off his World Cup disappointment. Rating 4 BRIAN LAUDRUP. Flashes of brilliance failed to inspire those around him and it's not difficult to see why the Light Blues hero is heading for Chelsea. First half effort hit the post. Rating 7 Subs. ALLY McCOIST (6). Replaced Stensaas at half time and snatched a goal back. Almost snatched a penalty too in the dying minutes. IAN DURRANT (5). Replaced McCall at 2-0 but still showed he's a class act. From the News of the World |
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<-Page | <-Team | Sat 16 May 1998 Hearts 2 Rangers 1 | Team-> | Page-> |