Boab 73 Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 SASA PAPAC fears it's almost inevitable the title race will go down to the final weekend as it did last season. And the tension, pressure and knowledge that he and his Rangers team-mates walk a thin line between being heroes and villains is a situation the defender has learned to live with for the past three years. Papac probably expected his side to fall further behind Celtic after blowing a two-goal lead at home to Hearts and dropping yet more points. But the man from Bosnia really should have known better. Dundee United drew with Celtic 24 hours later - so nothing changes and still just a single victory separates the Old Firm. With nine games to go, Parkhead manager Gordon Strachan conceded neither side are good enough to run away with the championship. Papac agrees. Asked yesterday if he knew who was going to win the league he laughed and said: "I hope it's the Rangers. "I don't really want it to go to the last game again but it will as it did a year ago. "Maybe that is inevitable when you look at what has happened. Celtic dropped points at the weekend, as did we, so it's still going to be very close. "And there are two sides to this. It will be fantastic for us if we win the league or really disappointing if we get a repeat of a year ago. "That will be difficult to handle. But when anyone plays for Rangers, you are under pressure from the very first game and that's the case every week. "I like this. For me, this is good. I look forward to being in this situation. "Other teams are much stronger this season. Hearts, Aberdeen and Dundee United are all playing better and that means Rangers and Celtic can lose points to them. "Last time it was just two points of a difference at the end. Maybe this season, the gap might be even less. "The SPL is better because the other teams are better. That makes it more interesting. "We want to win every game at Rangers but that is not possible. Saturday was an example because we dropped a couple more points." Rangers have not had a good fortnight. A home defeat by Inverness and the draw with Hearts sandwiched their Co-operative Insurance Cup Final defeat by Celtic. The supporters are hurting but Papac knows what will put a smile back on their faces. He said: "Last week was difficult. When you lose a final it's not easy to take. But we have two other chances, the SPL and Scottish Cup. We must take these two. "Maybe we can win a double. Last season was good. We won two cups, got to the UEFA Cup Final and almost won the SPL but we had too many games to play at the end. This time I want to go even better." Papac is no superstar and would never claim to be but when you look closely at every Rangers player this season, it would be hard to find one more consistent. He is famously known as the only Paul Le Guen signing still at the club, most likely because the 29-year-old goes about his business in a calm and professional manner. It's why most Rangers fans admire the player who isn't even a natural full-back. Papac said:"It's nice to be liked and this is a great club to play for. But it is also hard because the supporters just want to see you in first. They don't want second. That's Rangers. "It means you must be 100 per cent in every game. You cannot play well one week, then the next be not as good. No one gets away with that. But I enjoy playing for Rangers and like living in Scotland a lot. My children are settled here and that is very important to me. "I have two more years on my contract at Rangers. I don't know if I would stay longer than that. You can never know in football. "I don't think of myself as a Le Guen player when people talk about that. I just see myself as a Rangers player who tries to do his best for the club in every game and in training too." Now is the time of season when the pros vote for their player of the year. You can't vote for a team-mate and there was an unwritten rule that no one at Rangers would pick a Celtic man and vice-versa. That has changed and there is every chance Papac will go for one of those players based at Parkhead who want to inflict more last-day misery on him. He said: "At Rangers I would have a couple of players in mind for a vote. Not just one. "There is Pedro Mendes and Steve Davis. Also you have to mention Kris Boyd because he has scored so many goals for us. "Celtic have many good players. This season I would maybe go for Gary Caldwell. He has been good all year and plays strongly for Celtic. I also like Bruno Aguiar at Hearts. He is areally good player. "In fact, there are many good players in the SPL. I won't vote now. I'll see what happens over the next few weeks." Papac admitted he will enjoy a week off from playing when the internationals take place, a scene he quit three years ago after 25 caps. And he believes Scotland will get some joy in Amsterdam on Saturday. He said: "It's going to be difficult for Scotland because Holland are one of the best national sides in Europe. "But, hey, we saw last year that Rangers weren't the best team but we still got to the UEFA Cup Final. In this game, everything is possible. I hope Scotland take maximum points." http://www.<No links to this website>/football/spl/...86908-21223634/ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangersKenny 0 Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 You have got to admire the big man, he's never let us down even when being played out of position. On yersel' big man!!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_glasgow 2 Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 You have got to admire the big man, he's never let us down even when being played out of position. On yersel' big man!!! yes he has Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
minstral 5,375 Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 more bullshit from an average player. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dado 334 Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 more bullshit from an average player. Whats bullshit about that interview? Yes he might be an average player but he is a Rangers player and gives his all playing for this club. What the hell is Papac getting stick for? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
damien1 29 Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 more bullshit from an average player. An average player who is head and shoulders above some of the rest of the current squad of dross/ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
highlander05 53 Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 Papac I think is one of the more well composed players who says the right things, he doesn't come out saying we will win the rest of the games etc. I would say that he is definitly one of our better players who has rarely let us down, not saying he hasn't ever but more often than not he is pretty reliable. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangersKenny 0 Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 You have got to admire the big man, he's never let us down even when being played out of position. On yersel' big man!!! yes he has Explain Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_glasgow 2 Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 You have got to admire the big man, he's never let us down even when being played out of position. On yersel' big man!!! yes he has Explain ball watching/ lack of concentration/ allowing players to come in the behind him and score or make McGregor make a save. Nou Camp, Pittordrie........... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManchestGer 347 Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 I don't think there is anything wrong with that interview to merit any stick, just doesn't state anything we don't already know. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jelle1880 229 Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 You have got to admire the big man, he's never let us down even when being played out of position. On yersel' big man!!! yes he has Explain ball watching/ lack of concentration/ allowing players to come in the behind him and score or make McGregor make a save. Nou Camp, Pittordrie........... Having Messi in his pocket for the entire game,... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_glasgow 2 Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 You have got to admire the big man, he's never let us down even when being played out of position. On yersel' big man!!! yes he has Explain ball watching/ lack of concentration/ allowing players to come in the behind him and score or make McGregor make a save. Nou Camp, Pittordrie........... Having Messi in his pocket for the entire game,... at the most important time of the game he didnt Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangersKenny 0 Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 You have got to admire the big man, he's never let us down even when being played out of position. On yersel' big man!!! yes he has Explain ball watching/ lack of concentration/ allowing players to come in the behind him and score or make McGregor make a save. Nou Camp, Pittordrie........... 2 examples. thats it? Before wee Smith's injury, he was doing almost as well as Hutton at the other side of the park, yet he cant dislodge big Sasa. No sayin he's perfect, i just think he deserves recognition for playing solid at left back when he is infact a centre half. One of our more consistant performers (which wouldnt be hard at the current climate, but all the same, i dont feel he should be getting slated). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
highlander05 53 Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 You have got to admire the big man, he's never let us down even when being played out of position. On yersel' big man!!! yes he has Explain ball watching/ lack of concentration/ allowing players to come in the behind him and score or make McGregor make a save. Nou Camp, Pittordrie........... to be fair to papac. i don't think he is the first or the last defender to have had a hard time at the nou camp, he makes some mistakes, but no where near the amount to say that he lets us down Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_glasgow 2 Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 You have got to admire the big man, he's never let us down even when being played out of position. On yersel' big man!!! yes he has Explain ball watching/ lack of concentration/ allowing players to come in the behind him and score or make McGregor make a save. Nou Camp, Pittordrie........... 2 examples. thats it? Before wee Smith's injury, he was doing almost as well as Hutton at the other side of the park, yet he cant dislodge big Sasa. No sayin he's perfect, i just think he deserves recognition for playing solid at left back when he is infact a centre half. One of our more consistant performers (which wouldnt be hard at the current climate, but all the same, i dont feel he should be getting slated). 2 examples of the top of my head he has done it a good few times Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dado 334 Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 I think certain people on here are not happy until they are slating our players, management or just the club in general. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
highlander05 53 Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 I think certain people on here are not happy until they are slating our players, management or just the club in general. thats definitly true, gets really annoying. praise where praise is due Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott-RFC 308 Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 Hes not my ideal left back, but he consistently gives his best , and there are more pressing concerns in the squad than Sasa Papac Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangersKenny 0 Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 I think certain people on here are not happy until they are slating our players, management or just the club in general. I think you should shut up because Papac is awful. So is Smith. In fact, Rangers in general are awful. I agree with Dado, the Rangers may be pish at the moment, but i dont see why all this negative slating can do our players any favours. We have alot of players under-performing than Sasa so its not justified that he's getting it in the neck. Im pretty sure you weren't saying Smith was 'awful' before his injury. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasGers 96 Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 Saying that he didn't have a great game at the Nou Camp is extremely harsh criticism, and unjustified IMO. Papac has done a good job the majority of the season, and as others have said, we have more pressing issues with the team Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jelle1880 229 Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 You have got to admire the big man, he's never let us down even when being played out of position. On yersel' big man!!! yes he has Explain ball watching/ lack of concentration/ allowing players to come in the behind him and score or make McGregor make a save. Nou Camp, Pittordrie........... Having Messi in his pocket for the entire game,... at the most important time of the game he didnt You mean when Messi scored at Ibrox ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_glasgow 2 Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 I think certain people on here are not happy until they are slating our players, management or just the club in general. Not at all everyone has the opinion that Papac is consistent and does nothing wrong when clearly he culpable of ball watching and lack of concentration which allows player to ghost in from the right which could lead to goal. He is average player at best one which should be replaced in summer but won't. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangersKenny 0 Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 I think certain people on here are not happy until they are slating our players, management or just the club in general. I think you should shut up because Papac is awful. So is Smith. In fact, Rangers in general are awful. I agree with Dado, the Rangers may be pish at the moment, but i dont see why all this negative slating can do our players any favours. We have alot of players under-performing than Sasa so its not justified that he's getting it in the neck. Im pretty sure you weren't saying Smith was 'awful' before his injury. WHOOSH What? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff crap in the head 120 Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 I think certain people on here are not happy until they are slating our players, management or just the club in general. I think you should shut up because Papac is awful. So is Smith. In fact, Rangers in general are awful. I agree with Dado, the Rangers may be pish at the moment, but i dont see why all this negative slating can do our players any favours. We have alot of players under-performing than Sasa so its not justified that he's getting it in the neck. Im pretty sure you weren't saying Smith was 'awful' before his injury. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangersKenny 0 Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 I think certain people on here are not happy until they are slating our players, management or just the club in general. I think you should shut up because Papac is awful. So is Smith. In fact, Rangers in general are awful. I agree with Dado, the Rangers may be pish at the moment, but i dont see why all this negative slating can do our players any favours. We have alot of players under-performing than Sasa so its not justified that he's getting it in the neck. Im pretty sure you weren't saying Smith was 'awful' before his injury. WHOOSH What? I was being sarcastic, but it went waaay over your head. Witty! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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