European Ambition

[Danny 9]

It might not have been the Champions League, and a mouth-watering match against the likes of Serie A giants AC Milan, but nevertheless the prospect of progression to the last 16 of the Uefa Cup was still a goal worth pursuing, and a more than realistic target given the abject mediocrity of the side standing in Rangers’ way.

Hapoel Tel-Aviv were exposed in Israel by Rangers during the first leg in which the home side looked anything but impressive. Indeed, the visitors controlled the first half only to be suckered by a marvellous free-kick right on the stroke of half time. The second half yielded a Novo goal before the Israelis clinched the match thanks to an Ian Murray error.

The return at Ibrox was mooted as a very real and valid chance of achieving the last 16, and a single goal would be enough to obtain this. However, one goal was not enough; for the Ibrox men, buoyed on by one of the finest atmosphere’s in Govan for many, many matches managed to find the net four times. Indeed, from the very first whistle, the home side went about this game with vigour, purpose, and a quality which had been sadly all-too-often lacking from the domestic campaign.

On the right wing, Burke found himself recreating the form which had thrust him into the limelight during Alex McLeish’s tenure. His runs were productive at the least, and downright bewitching at best, with only crude fouls stopping him in his tracks.

The rest of the side played their part as well, a solid team effort more than rich in abundance. But the Man of the Match award had to go to the frankly mercurial Barry Ferguson. Not only did he manage to find the net twice, but his wizardly and craft in the middle of the park was a level above anything we have seen this season thus far. It is fair to say this performance was bracketed up there with Ferguson’s finest in Europe – Parma, Bayer Leverkusen, Inter etc. The opposition here was not as illustrious, but Ferguson’s display was.

In the end, the match was a comfortable demolition of the Israelis by 4-0 – the visitors barely had a sniff, in truth. However, there was a downside to the night’s proceedings, and quite a significant one at that. Allan McGregor found himself on the receiving end of a straight red card for an off the ball incident in which the charge is that he headbutted an opponent. Cue the touchline histrionics from an outraged Walter Smith and Ally McCoist who were in the dark as to the motives for the red card, before McGregor trudged off for an early bath. One telling fact is the ‘keeper made no protest against the decision, which either condemns his guilt, or shows his thorough professionalism. Without video evidence, of which the only alleged segment in existence is a grainy mobile phone capture which seemingly clarifies very little, there can be no likely defence.

As a result of this sending off, Stefan Klos found himself unexpectedly taking McGregor’s place, and to say he looked like a rabbit in headlights would be rather an understatement. We know the guy’s a consummate professional, but a complete poverty of first team match practise showed, and his rustiness was as stark as the winter sky.

The question this forces is whether he will feature at Easter Road because McGregor is currently banned for the next Uefa Cup tie V the Spaniards Osasuna. So conceivably Klos requires match practise. Surely Rangers cannot just thrust an out-of-action ‘keeper into such an important match?

Back to the grind of the SPL though, and a trip to Edinburgh awaits. Smith’s effect on the domestic level of the side has been pretty significant, and no points have been dropped bar a disappointing draw with Hearts. This must be maintained to secure that vital CL spot for next season. And Hibernian lie in wait – a trip to face John Collins’ men is never easy.

Rangers will have to recall their previous journey there to prevent any notion of complacency.

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