ST ANDREWS CROSS
COUNTDOWN TO CAPITAL CRUNCH
By David Mccarthy
ALAN McLAREN was a modern-day footballer with an old-fashioned philosophy when it came to the art of defending.
His motto was simple: "Clear it first - ask questions later."
The former Hearts, Rangers and Scotland defender could play all right but he was also the type who wouldn't think twice about hoofing the ball into row Z if the alternative was the possibility of losing a goal.
It was an approach that made him a huge favourite at Tynecastle and Ibrox and seven years after injury forced him into premature retirement at the age of 27, he retains an enormous amount of affection for both clubs.
But that's not the only reason why McLaren is eagerly anticipating tomorrow's lunchtime showdown between the clubs at Tynecastle.
He, like the rest of the country, is intrigued to see if Hearts can stretch their lead over Rangers to 11 points just eight games into the season.
If George Burley's men do that, McLaren reckons Rangers would find it almost impossible to peg back that kind of lead.
And he feels it could happen - if Ibrox boss Alex McLeish leaves Marvin Andrewson the bench.
The Trinidad and Tobago international is cut from the same cloth as McLaren when it comes to keeping attackers away from the goal he is defending.
McLaren is adamant that this no-nonsense streak will be absolutely crucial as Hearts will subject Rangers to an aerial bombardment.
Ask him if McLeish should choose Andrews or Frenchman Julien Rodriguez to stand shoulder to shoulder with Soto Kyrgiakos and the answer is unequivocal.
He said: "He has to go with Andrews. It's quite clear that his strengths are attacking the ball and his aerial prowess. In those departments he is far better than Rodriguez.
"Hearts are now quite a physical side and they are a tall side. They'll have six players who are six feet plus and I am sure they will try to use that to their advantage.
"Rangers have conceded a couple of sloppy goals from corners recently, especially against Porto. I'm sure big Alex will hold his hands up to that and they need a dominant centre-half who will attack the ball.
"There is none better at doing that in the country at the moment than big Marvin McLaren knows better thanmost that Rangers fans love a player who gives wholehearted commitment to the cause. That's why they have taken Andrews to their hearts.
He reckons the defender could cement his place in their affections by playing a stormer in Gorgie.
He added: "He's gone from 'Marvin Who?' to a cult hero at Ibrox and the fans were delighted to see him back on Tuesday night against Clyde. He didn't do anything wrong in that game. He cleared his lines and defended as well as he could.
"He was maybe found out a little in the first leg of the Champions League qualifier against Famagusta but if you are picking horses for courses, Tynecastle is the perfect course for Marvin Andrews.
"That Famagusta game was one of a very few where he hasn't played well over the last 18 months. He has a very good record since making the giant step up from Livingston to Rangers."
McLaren isn't yet convinced with McLeish's other defensive buys this season and he is adamant the Andrews-Kyrgiakos partnership will be the most dependable tomorrow.
He said: "Alex has assembled his squad and it gives him options and problems.
Understanding "He has brought in three central defenders in Jose Pierre-Fanfan, Rodriguez and, of course, Kyrgiakos who came back after the season started.
"Marvin was already there,so he's got to pick two from four and the other two are obviously going to be disappointed. But Marvin and Kyrgiakos played together last year and they formed a good enough central defensive partnership to win the league.
"The fact they already have an understanding,while the other two are still finding their feet, is vital I believe.
"The two players they've brought in from France obviously have great European and Champions League experience but they'll never have seen Tynecastle and they won't really know what they're in for.
"Of course,they were thrown into an Old Firm game early on and did well, so Alex will believe if they can handle that they can handle anything. There is nothing hotter than that fixture. But Marvin and Soto know exactly what to expect with 18,000 fans breathing down their necks at Tynecastle and that could be crucial.
"It's going to be a fair old tussle and Alex will need someone who is no-nonsense and will first and foremost clear his lines.
"Hearts will be looking to get the ball forward as fast as they can. They've got two giants in Jankauskas and Bednar who are going to cause problems.
"It will be an aerial bombardment and the best player to combat that is Marvin.
"There are no ifs, buts or maybes. If Alex believes that's how Hearts will approach it he has to go with Andrews.
"That kind of game is right up his street and I don't think it is the type of match the other two will relish."
McLaren is predicting a draw and he doesn't know if that will be enough for Rangers even at this early stage in the season.
He added: "It doesn't matter how you try to dress it up - if Rangers go 11points behind,that leaves them a mountain to climb. They would have to win four more games than Hearts just to go a point ahead and putting Hearts to one side, they would be likely to fall six points behind Celtic, which is another massive gap.
"They can't afford to lose this one and I don't even know if they can afford to draw.
"They've got to go for the win to try to claw back some of the damage done by the defeats to Aberdeen and Hibs and the Falkirk draw.
"But I think the game is destined to be a draw and I'm not sure that'll be good enough for Rangers."
Taken from the Daily Record
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