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RANGERS v NEWCASTLE UNITED 06 August 2013
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OFFICIAL MATCHDAY MAGAZINE 2010/11
NeW eRA WHYTE - SMITH - RUSSELL - LAFFERTY - SPENCER - 10 YEARS OF MURRAY PARk
RANGERS
LIVERPOOL
GOALKEEPERS 01 Allan McGREGOR 25 Neil ALEXANDER
GOALKEEPERS 25 Pepe REINA 32 Alexander DONI 01 Brad JONES
DEFENDERS 02 Dorin GOIAN 03 David WEIR 04 Kirk BROADFOOT 05 Sasa PAPAC 12 Lee WALLACE 16 Steven WHITTAKER 18 Carlos BOCANEGRA 23 Jordan McMILLAN 32 Ross PERRY MIDFIELDERS 06 Lee McCULLOCH 07 Maurice EDU 08 Steven DAVIS 17 Juan Manuel ORTIZ 20 Matt McKAY 21 Alejandro BEDOYA 26 Jamie NESS 27 Gregg WYLDE 28 Salim KERKAR FORWARDS 09 Nikica JELAVIC 10 John FLECK 11 Kyle LAFFERTY 14 Steven NAISMITH 15 David HEALY
DEFENDERS 02 Glen JOHNSON 03 José ENRIQUE 05 Daniel AGGER 06 Fábio AURÉLIO 16 Sebastian COATES 22 Danny WILSON 23 Ja 34 Martin KELLY 37 Martin SKRTEL 38 John FLANAGAN MIDFIELDERS 08 Steven GERRARD 11 Maxi RODRIGUEZ 14 Jordan HENDERSON 19 Stewart DOWNING 20 Jay SPEARING 21 Lucas LEIVA 26 Charlie ADAM FORWARDS 09 Andy CARROLL 07 Luis SUAREZ 18 Dirk KUYT 30 Fernandez SUSO 39 Craig BELLAMY
OFFICIAL MATCHDAY MAGAZINE 2011/12
RANGERS v LIVERPOOL
TUESDAY 18TH OCTOBER 2011 KO 19:30 FRIENDLY | SPECIAL SOUVENIR PROGRAMME | £5
TONIGHT’S OFFICIALS Referee: Antonio Miguel MATEU LAHOZ (ESP) Assistants: Javier AGUILAR RODRIGUEZ (ESP), Pau CEBRIAN DEVIS (ESP) 4th official: Carlos DEL CERRO GRANDE (ESP)
ROSS PERRY Exclusive Neil Smith Photos Kirk O’Rourke
BAIRN Necessity Loan spell at Falkirk was vital for my Rangers career, says Perry
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OSS PERRY knows that in the fickle world of professional football nothing can be taken for granted, especially when you are a young player trying to make the grade at a club the size of Rangers. For every teenager lucky enough to force their way in to the first team set up there are a dozen more that have to move to pastures new in a bid to further their careers or simply to stay in the game. In the past couple of years Perry has watched on as several of his friends and former Murray Park teammates have left the club having come so close to living the dream with Rangers. Rory Loy, Ross’ former flatmate, is 8
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Park Life: Ross enjoys a training session with Carlos Bocanegra and Kyle Lafferty
now plying his trade at Carlisle in England’s League One while Andrew Shinnie signed a two-year contract with Terry Butcher’s Inverness Caley Thistle in July. Both talented players made two substitute appearances for the Gers top team and were stand outs at under-19 and Reserve level. But like so many blossoming stars they could not cement their place in the senior side which is why Ross, who signed a new four-year deal at the start of this month, will do everything he can to stay in Ally McCoist’s plans. The 21-year-old centre half was heavily involved in the first month of the 2011/12 campaign,
playing against Chelsea, Inverness, Motherwell and Maribor, but he will always keep his feet firmly on the ground and cites his loan move to his hometown club Falkirk in February as the best decision of his career to date. He said: “When I saw Rory and Andrew move away from Rangers there were times when I thought I might have to do the same thing, especially being in the last year of my contract. “Thankfully I’ve been given my chance here but it could easily have gone the other way. “I think the one thing that gave me a massive boost was going out to Falkirk on loan.
“When that came about I had been playing for the Reserves in bounce games at Murray Park but they didn’t have that competitive edge to them. “Going to Falkirk in the second half of last season helped me immensely and looking back it was vitally important in terms of my career. “I think it’s been shown in the past that a loan spell at another club can prove hugely beneficial. “Allan McGregor and Charlie Adam are examples of that and I think there comes a time when you have to go out and show that you can play competitive football and deal with the pressure that comes with that. 9
UNITED STEVEN DAVIS
Exclusive David Melvin Photos Kirk O’Rourke
we stand Steven Davis says familiar faces and new boys alike are ready for battle
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S the Rangers squad got steadily smaller over the last three seasons there was a sense within Murray Park that with every departure the remaining group were knitted that little more closely together. Often there were fingers pointed at a lack of numbers to relieve those who were fighting for the club week in and week out. But never was there a question mark over the willingness of those who continued to wear Light Blue to give their all. Now, with seven new faces added to the Rangers squad over the summer, the challenge for Ally McCoist and his players is to match that sense of togetherness. It should not be underestimated 8
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just how significant the attitude and desire of that core of players was over the last 36 months. Three league titles were delivered in that period with another three domestic cups thrown in for good measure. It was a team that won a League Cup with nine men and recovered an SPL deficit with just a handful of games to go last season. That remarkable group has been added to now with players of international experience and leadership qualities. It seems there is little doubt over the qualities of the US captain Carlos Bocanegra, Australian international Matt McKay or Romanian regular Dorin Goian. Lee Wallace would surely have
more caps but for injury and there is promise in the form of emerging American international Alejandro Bedoya and on-loan Arsenal centre back Kyle Bartley, while Juanma Ortiz offers a wealth of top-flight Spanish experience. But for the man tasked with leading these new players in recent months, it has been their seamless inclusion in the squad that has been so encouraging. Steven Davis has worn the captain’s armband in Davie Weir’s injury enforced absence and the Ulsterman is confident his side will retain that essential unity when they take to the field against their oldest rivals today. Davis said: “As well as being good players I think they’re all good 9
ALLAN McGREGOR
Exclusive Neil Smith Photos Kirk O’Rourke
Allan’s a big fan of Chelsea’s number one
CECH
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LLAN MCGREGOR has walked down the Ibrox tunnel next to a lot of goalkeepers he admires but he admits that Chelsea’s Petr Cech is up there with the very best he has ever played against. In the past few seasons Greegsy has shook hands with the likes of Edwin van der Sar at Manchester United and Victor Valdes of Barcelona while at international level he has rubbed shoulders with Real Madrid and Spain legend Iker Casillas and Inter Milan and Brazil’s Julio Cesar amongst others. Cech, 29, joined Chelsea in 2003 during Claudio Ranieri’s time in charge at Stamford Bridge and the 6’ 5” stopper was initially brought in as understudy to Carlo Cudicini despite costing £7million. At that time the transfer fee involved meant that Cech cost more than every other Chelsea goalkeeper in history put together but it was soon 8
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apparent why Ranieri was so desperate to secure the services of the former Rennes and Sparta Prague star. Jose Mourinho’s arrival at the Blues in June 2004, and an elbow injury to Cudicini, meant that Cech was immediately promoted in to the starting eleven and he kept a clean sheet in his Premier League debut as Manchester United were beaten 1-0. And on March 2005 the talented shotstopper set a new record in England’s top flight by going 1025 minutes without conceding a goal albeit this was recently broken by Edwin van der Sar at Old Trafford in January 2009. In 2005/06 Cech enjoyed another season of success as Chelsea successfully defended the Premier League crown and having conceded just 22 goals in that campaign the London club moved 9
ANDREW LITTLE
All to play for
Words Andrew Dickson Photos Kirk O’Rourke
Title race might be as good as over but Little maintains this Old Firm clash is anything but meaningless
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“On a personal level, this is a massive game for me.” 8
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CELEBRATING 140 YEARS OF RANGERS
HERE’S an argument amongst some Rangers fans that with no league title to play for any more, today’s match is the most meaningless Old Firm clash in some time. Try telling that to young striker Andrew Little though and he’ll set you straight on just how important it is for the Light Blues to come out on top this afternoon. Celtic might be close to winning this season’s SPL title but that certainly doesn’t mean Gers are ready to roll over and let them have it without a fight. And Little is particularly keen to make an impact after his one derby appearance ended before it truly got going. The 22-year-old made his very first start for the club almost two and a half years ago when he
was named in the side to feature against the Parkhead outfit at Ibrox in October 2009. But playing at right-back, he suffered a hamstring injury in the first seconds of the game and was substituted (pictured left) before Kenny Miller’s double gave the hosts a 2-1 victory. Little has done well recently after a torrid time with injuries and back to full fitness, he is finally making the impression he always hoped he would for the club he grew up supporting. Even so, he still wants to get his full debut for the club out of his system and is determined to help his team to a welcome victory over the next 90 minutes. Little said: “On a personal level, this is a massive game for me as I want to put that match against
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ONEStoWATCH Here are some of the key men Rangers will face today at Ibrox
The Goalie
Fraser FORSTER: Goalkeeper Nationality: English Date of Birth: 17/03/1988 Previous Club: Newcastle United ON loan for a second season in Glasgow, 6’ 7” keeper Forster has improved this season and recently kept six consecutive clean sheets for his side. A player who some feel could push for a call up to the England squad in the future, the 24-year-old has previously had temporary spells with Stockport County, Bristol Rovers and Norwich City. Despite being contracted to Newcastle United since 2006, Forster has never made a competitive appearance for the Magpies despite being a regular substitute in spells and it seems certain Celtic will try to sign him permanently once the current campaign is over.
The Specialist
The Stopper
Kevin WILSON: Defender Nationality: English Date of Birth: 03/09/1985 Previous Club: Nottingham Forest WITH Daniel Majstorovic out for the rest of the season, English defender Wilson’s importance to Celtic’s team is greater now than at any point this term and he forms a key part of their back line. Signed from Nottingham Forest last summer, the 26-year-old moved north on a four-year deal having penned a pre-contract last term. He started his career at Notts County before moving to Lancashire outfit Preston North End in 2006, staying there for a year before going to the City Ground. Wilson played beside Neil Lennon there and the two were reunited in Scotland last June.
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CELEBRATING 140 YEARS OF RANGERS
Charlie MULGREW: Defender Nationality: Scottish Date of Birth: 06/03/1986 Previous Club: Aberdeen MULGREW has gone full circle since he started his career at Celtic as a teenager and left without making an appearance. He had a successful loan spell at Dundee United and it was there his talents as a setpiece expert became clear as he scored two free kicks against Aberdeen, whom he later joined after a permanent move to Wolves and another temporary shift to Southend United. In his time at Pittodrie, Mulgrew played well enough to win a move back to Parkhead and his form since returning was good enough for him to win a place in Scotland’s squad for the recent friendly with Slovenia in Koper.
OPPOSITION
The Enforcer
Victor WANYAMA: Midfielder Nationality: Kenyan Date of Birth: 25/06/1990 Previous Club: Beerschot AC RECRUITED from Beerschot last summer, Kenyan internationalist Wanyama has been one of Celtic’s best players in recent weeks and has been linked with a move to English football at the end of the season. He left his homeland in 2007 to join Swedish side Helsingborg’s youth academy but returned home briefly before switching to Belgium. Wanyama has shown his versatility by slotting into both defence and midfield and his robust nature and consistent showings have allowed him to settle well. He has scored important goals from the engine room against the likes of Hearts, Dunfermline and Dundee United in James FORREST: Midfielder Nationality: Scottish recent weeks. Date of Birth: 07/07/1991 Previous Club: None ANOTHER Celtic player who has recently moved into the Scotland squad, Forrest has made a good impact for his club side. He usually plays on the right wing but can also be utilised on the left flank and as a striker too and the 20-year-old has also been linked with a move to the Premiership in the foreseeable future. Forrest’s direct style is reminiscent of ex-Old Firm players Willie Henderson and Jimmy Johnstone and he is someone who is reported to have been considered for a place in the Team GB squad at this summer’s Olympic Games in London.
The Winger
The Scorer
Gary HOOPER: Striker Nationality: English Date of Birth: 26/01/1988 Previous Club: Scunthorpe United HOOPER is the leading scorer in the SPL this season and has been a prolific scorer for Celtic since he signed for them from Scunthorpe United for £1.6million in July 2010. Having started his career with non-league Grays Athletic, he then signed for Southend United and had loan spells with both Leyton Orient and Hereford United before he made his name at Glanford Park. Hooper scored 22 goals in all competitions last season and has gone over the 20goal mark again this term as he has continued to display good consistency. Hooper has also indicated he would like to be part of Team GB at London 2012.
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MY FAVOURITE XI
MY FAVOURITE XI
KIRK BROADFOOT
RONALDO
FERGUSON CANTONA
CARLOS
ZIDANE
FERDINAND
SCHMEICHEL
SCHOLES GINOLA BRUCE
NEVILLE
SUBS FOR the first programme of the new season Scotland defender Kirk Broadfoot has selected his all-time Favourite XI and being a massive fan of the English Premier League and Manchester United when he was growing up the backbone of his team is made up of past and present players from Old Trafford.
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GORAM
McCOIST
MESSI
GOUGH
GASCOIGNE
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Get ting Jiggy!
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Flying The Flag
PRINTS
Email your pics, along with general info to editor@rangers.co.uk
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Like Father Like Son
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There’s Gordon McQueen!
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I’m A Navy Blue
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Fancy Meeting You Here!
1 Getting Jiggy! Andrew Corrigan and his best mate James got their photo taken with captain Lee McCulloch outside Murray Park.
5 Like Father Like Son David and Cody McCutcheon from Helensburgh are season ticket holders at Ibrox and they hope to see Rangers win against Airdrie today.
2 Flying The Flag Morgan Weir, from Bathgate, loves coming to Ibrox to watch Rangers play with her granddad and brother Jordan.
6 There’s Gordon McQueen! Rangers fans Simon McNeil and Drew Agnew met Scotland legend Gordon at Newcastle Station as they returned from a match in 2012/13.
3 I’m A Navy Blue Timothy Webb, from Portadown, will never forget Rangers’ Remembrance Day game at Ibrox in November 2012 when Peterhead were the visitors. 4 Fancy Meeting You Here! Jason Ross was thrilled to meet nine-in-a-row legend Ian Ferguson at the Perth Rangers Supporters Club in Western Australia.
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My Favourite Player
7 My Favourite Player Bluenose Roxanne Kerr is a massive fan of Lee McCulloch and got the chance to meet him at Ibrox last season. 8 Stars And Stripes Rebecca McKee, age 9, shows her support for Rangers and the United States.
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Stars And Stripes 43
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JON DALY
WORDS: NEIL SMITH • PHOTOS: KIRK O’ROURKE
F k against East after his hat-tric Man on fire: Jon Fife on Saturday
JON DALY IS LOvINg LIfE AT gERS AND IS RELISHINg ANOTHER fRIDAY NIgHT cLASH AgAINST AIRDRIEONIANS
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I’M HAVING A BALL
riday night football might not yet be everyone’s cup of tea but it’s perhaps not surprising that Jon Daly is a big fan. It was on a Friday evening back in August that the 6’ 2” striker scored his first competitive goals for Rangers in a 6-0 romp against tonight’s Scottish Cup opponents Airdrieonians at their New Broomfield ground. In front of 9,044 spectators Daly celebrated his brace passionately and showed just what it meant to him to break his duck following his big summer move to the Light Blues. Jon, of course, had also scored in a preseason friendly against Dutch side Emmen but hitting the net twice in League One was a special feeling and since then he has never looked back. The towering hitman now has 12 goals in all competitions in 2013/14 but hopes he can add to this tally this evening as Rangers look to put on another sparking display against the Diamonds from North Lanarkshire. Having enjoyed Scottish Cup success when Dundee United beat Ross County 3-0 in the 2010 Final, Daly knows what it feels like to walk up the steps at Hampden to lift the famous old trophy. He would love nothing more than to do that again with his Murray Park teammates but, understandably, he refuses to look too far ahead and instead is fully focused on his side’s first hurdle in this season’s competition. He said: “Obviously after the disappointment of going out of the League Cup we want to have a decent run in the Scottish Cup. “We start against Airdrie and we are delighted the game is at home, it will give us a big lift playing at Ibrox. “We had a really good result against Airdrie back in August and it was a special night for me. As a player you always remember your debut or first goal for a new club so that is a game I will never forget. “It was on a Friday night and 7
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CAMMY BELL
WORDS: NEIL SMITH • PHOTOS: KIRK O’ROURKE
THE PAST fIvE WEEKS HAvE BEEN TOUgH fOR CAMMY BELL BUT HE CAN’T WAIT TO MAKE HIS COMPETITIvE DEBUT fOR RANgERS
READY AND WAITING C
ammy Bell admits the start of his Rangers career has been a bizarre experience and also a somewhat difficult one. After a 10-year spell at Kilmarnock the talented goalkeeper joined the Light Blues on May 22 and throughout the summer worked hard with Jim Stewart as he prepared for the exciting new challenges ahead with his new club. During this period the 26-year-old’s early form on the pitch was impressive. In seven friendlies against Brora, Elgin, Bristol City, Gutersloh, Emmen, Dundee and Newcastle United he conceded just two goals to Dundee’s Declan Gallagher and Magpies striker Shola Ameobi. Since then Annanborn Cammy has had to watch his side in action from the stands because of the club’s transfer embargo which will finally be lifted tomorrow. Ally McCoist has been able to pick just two from his eight new signings for Rangers’ recent Scottish League One games against Brechin City, Stranraer and Airdrie with Nicky Law, Jon Daly, Nicky Clark and Bell allowed to play in three league games each this month. Arnold Peralta, Steven Smith, Bilel Mohsni and Richard Foster have been unable to play at
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Chris Hegarty
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Words Andrew Dickson Photos Kirk O’Rourke
Chris of l fe
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Hegarty is next starlet to make a name for himself at gers and he’s loving his first team chance
EWIS MacLEOD, Barrie McKay, Fraser Aird and Robbie Crawford. Four kids whose names delight Rangers fans for the way they have broken into the first team this season. Along with other Light Blues youth products Ross Perry, Andy Little and Kyle Hutton, they have brought freshness and vitality to Ally McCoist’s team as itw galvanises itself. And now there is a fifth new face making an impression in 2012/13, with defender Chris Hegarty staking a good claim for a regular place in the side at present. With both Sebastien Faure and Anestis Argyriou injured and Darren Cole still not match fit following an ankle problem, the right-back slot is most definitely up for grabs. And having done well there on his recent league debut against Clyde and featured since against Inverness and Alloa, Hegarty is as well placed as anyone to make the position his. The likelihood is he will start there again today against Peterhead in what would be his fifth outing of the campaign following a competitive debut at Falkirk in August. Settling into first-team life and making himself a fixture in the first XI is a challenge the Northern Ireland under-21 skipper is relishing. And he is hopeful of being included once more against the Blue Toon as Gers look to cement their position at the top of the Third Division table. Hegarty is pleased with how things have gone for himself lately, especially given he is now getting a run of games rather than sporadic ones. And even though he endured the low of losing to Caley Jags in the League Cup as well as the highs of beating his other opponents, he is taking pointers from each experience. Hegarty said: “It’s really good. I think I needed to do well and give a solid performance when I came in and I feel I did that. Getting a clean sheet at Clyde showed that. “I was really pleased the gaffer kept me in the team for the Inverness game, even if the way the match went meant it was a bit of a mixed evening for me. “I put a lot of pressure on myself before the game to do well. It was a tie against an SPL club so I wanted to do well personally and for the team to succeed. “Getting to a League Cup semi-final would have been a great achievement for us this season given where we’ve come from. “Playing at Hampden in front of thousands of
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Chris Burke
Once A Blue, AlwAys A Blue
CHRIS BURKE’S shirt colour hasn’t changed since he left Rangers in 2008 and he’ll never forget his playing days at Ibrox
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Words Neil Smith
“When I was at Rangers I was still naïve and learning the game. I would have dips and ups and downs so I would definitely say I’m more mature now.”
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T is five years ago to this day that Chris Burke was named in Rangers’ starting XI for the last time in a League Cup semifinal against St Johnstone but since then things haven’t changed too much for the Scotland star. At 29 he is still terrorising defenders with his pace and trickery and after moving away from the Light Blues in January 2009 to join Cardiff City, or The Bluebirds as they are also known, he is now plying his trade at Birmingham City who, you guessed it, are nicknamed The Blues. Having also recently pulled on a dark blue jersey at international level after a seven-year absence for games against Estonia, Wales and Serbia he laughs at the suggestion he will go through his entire career playing in just one colour but realises this is a possibility. Burke, of course, started his career in the youth teams at Rangers, playing alongside the likes of Charlie Adam and Alan Hutton, before he scored on his top team debut against Kilmarnock on March 20, 2002 at Ibrox. In total he made 131 appearances in eight season, bagging 14 goals while working under managers Dick Advocaat, Alex McLeish, Paul Le Guen and Walter Smith. During this time he enjoyed title successes and also featured in the 2008 Scottish League Cup final victory over Dundee United at Hampden. He sampled the highs that come with playing in big European games at Ibrox but also suffered the lows of missing almost the entire 2004/05 Double-winning campaign after fainting in a match against Aberdeen at Pittodrie with a virus. On April 20 2008 an ankle injury picked up in a Scottish Cup semi-final against St Johnstone at Hampden was to be the last time he was named in Walter Smith’s team as Rangers pursued an unprecedented quadruple with the UEFA Cup final played on May 14 that same year. For Burke, who was struggling to get regular match action at 21
Anestis Global Argyriou Bears Interview Neil Smith
MY BLUE HEAVEN
Greek defender ANESTIS ARGYRIOU speaks exclusively to Ready about his first season with Rangers
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OU have lived in Scotland for seven months now, are you enjoying life in Glasgow with Rangers? AA: Definitely. Glasgow is a beautiful city despite the weather! Scottish people are very welcoming and friendly and it makes me feel at home. My teammates have also helped me a lot. I want to take the opportunity to say a big thank you to everyone.
Prior to joining Rangers you had played for Panthrakikos and AEK Athens. Tell us about your football career before you moved to Scotland? AA: I started my professional career at Panthrakikos and I had two very good seasons there. I was then rewarded by signing for AEK Athens. At AEK we were in the Europa League both seasons and we won the Greek Cup in 2011.
You are only the second footballer from Greece to play for Rangers after Sotirios Kyrgiakos. Were you aware that he played in Scotland? AA: I know that Sotirios is a great footballer who has enjoyed a brilliant career with big clubs such as Rangers and Liverpool and I played against him at AEK. He won titles with Rangers so I would like to do something similar.
AEK are a big club in Greece with very passionate fans, is it similar to playing for Rangers? AA: Yes, it’s similar but I would say that the Rangers fans are always behind the team. They travel everywhere the team goes, even in the Third Division, and no matter which ground you play at, the stands are always blue. It’s incredible.
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Anestis Argyriou to win the Third Division title and if we can get two victories we can achieve this. But with seven games left our aim is to win them all and put in good performances for our great supporters.
When you signed for AEK you travelled to Australia for the Sydney Festival of Football in 2010. Can you remember their 1-0 victory over Rangers at this tournament? AA: I can and I was unlucky, I didn’t get the chance to play in this match as I had picked up an ankle injury in preparation for this game so I was left out of the squad. It was a very good game. I was so impressed with the number of supporters Rangers had out there, even in a country as far away as Australia. It is amazing that the club has so many fans all over the world. Did you know a lot about Rangers and the club’s history before your move to Scotland in August 2012? AA: I knew that Rangers is the biggest club in Scotland and one of the greatest teams in the whole world. I also knew that the club has won more titles than any other team. When you walk through the doors at Ibrox on a matchday you can see the history Rangers has, especially when you go into the Trophy Room. It is a special place and a great stadium. Murray Park is also very important for the club and is a fantastic training facility.
Rangers have a new squad of players this season, do you feel the team will be stronger again next season? AA: Yes. The team is new and is being built slowly but surely and we will get stronger year after year. The important thing now is that we have the right foundations. We have young players who are starting their Rangers careers and they will have benefitted from playing firstteam football this season. As a squad I think we will definitely get stronger, I am very confident this will happen.
Sotirios Kyrgiakos
You made your debut against Berwick on August 26, 2012. What do you remember about this day and your first game in the Third Division? AA: I was really happy to make my debut. I remember when I came out to warm up the stands were full of our fans – the atmosphere was incredible.
Has there been a lot of media interest in Greece about Rangers, the fans and that you are playing for the club? AA: There has been some media interest about me playing for Rangers. Most of the Greek media know about the team and I have been asked about the atmosphere on the field. For Rangers to be in the Third Division is a big story in football because it is something no-one expected to happen.
You have now made 25 appearances for Rangers, have you been happy with your form this season? AA: I’m never happy with my performances – I always strive to be better. The team has had some ups and downs this season but we have been working hard in training and we are in a great position. We have a great opportunity now
Rangers have a lot of youngsters in the squad that are 17, 18 or 19 years old. Which players have impressed you this season? AA: I have been impressed
Was it a difficult decision to join Rangers with the club in the Scottish Third Division? AA: I had no hesitation, Rangers is a huge club no matter which division they are in. I am honoured to play here and I feel very proud. My family and friends were also very happy for me when I joined Rangers. They always knew that it was my dream to play for a big club and that I am doing that now.
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The Rangers fans have been incredible this season with almost 50,000 watching the home games at Ibrox. Has this surprised you? AA: It’s been incredible. This is something that could only be imagined in Greece. Rangers fans are an example for fans in the rest of the world in terms of the love they show for their club. We hope to reward the fans every time we play.
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Theodoros Zagorakis
with all the young players who have come from the Academy, in particular Robbie (Crawford) and Lewis (Macleod). You see them in training and they are all working very hard. This can only be good for the future of Rangers. At the end of every season Rangers fans pick their Player of the Year. Who would you select and why? AA: So many players have been great for us this season that I couldn’t possibly give one player my vote! Do you have family or friends living with you in Scotland? AA: My family are still in Greece but I have some Greek friends who are studying in Glasgow. In my spare time I like to go shopping with them, watch football and if the weather is good, I like to go fishing. I have also started to learn how to play golf, it’s a great game. Now that I’m living in Scotland, the home of golf, I felt I had to give it a go! Do you have any hobbies away from football or are you good at any other sports? AA: Apart from football, I like all sorts of different sports such as basketball, volleyball, boxing and tennis. Which football club did you support when you were growing up in Greece and who was your favourite player? AA: I was a fan of both PAOK and AEK – my favourite player was Theodoros Zagorakis. He was the captain of the Greece side that won the European Championships in 2004 and he was an iconic player for PAOK. He also played in midfield for AEK. Have you always been a defender? AA: I have played as a defensive midfielder and also as a right back. What would you like to achieve during your time at Rangers? AA: To win as many titles as we can!
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Neil Alexander
Words David Melvin Photos Kirk O’Rourke
No .1 TargeT Progress is all Gers’ first choice keeper wants in 2013
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T is traditional at this time of year to make resolutions for the forthcoming 12 months. For Neil Alexander however it is a straightforward wish he has for the new year. After the turmoil experienced over the last 12 months the Rangers shot stopper simply wants the club and team to continue their progress. Having worked their way to the top of the league and consolidated that position in recent weeks Alexander is keen to see that forward direction maintained in 2013. “We have to just try to continue improving as a team and as individuals,” says Alexander. “Everyone wants to strive to score more goals or keep clean sheets. “We have to keep doing what we’re doing and as the season goes on we’ll get some continuity and look at putting a run of wins together and put targets within that. “We’re always striving for bigger and better. Everything that we do will help the individuals for next season as they gain experience and confidence.” It is perhaps a measure of how far the club has come since the summer that Alexander is able to cast his thoughts forward not only to the rest of this season but to those that follow. Through a turbulent six months for the world’s most decorated football club Alexander emerged as a senior figure in Ally McCoist’s squad. He brings vast experience to a group of players pieced together from overseas and the club’s youth ranks. He has taken on the responsibility of helping those players to assimilate in to a squad that hasn’t seen expectations adjusted with their league status. However it is a role he has enjoyed and one he has assumed while also establishing himself for the first time as the undisputed first choice goalkeeper at Ibrox. “It was a weird summer and you just didn’t know what was coming next,” admits Alexander. “It was something different every day and a real rollercoaster few months. “I hope it’s something that I never have to experience again but we’ve come through the worst of it and there is light at the end of the tunnel. “If we can win the league and progress then we’ll be on the way back to where the club belongs and that’s at the top of Scottish football. “The senior players that are here like me, Lee McCulloch and Lee Wallace took some responsibility on our shoulders and tried to guide 9
CONTENTS Global Fraser Bears Aird events of the last six months. “I was playing my normal game He said: “Inverness are an SPL side so and I must have caught the eye we know 38 the quality have. We because I got invited round to5 Ally McCOiST ANdythey CAMErON obviously want to get backis to that work withlooking the first team.” Manager forward to a tough test Ready’s favourite comedian back! level. The next thing he knew, Aird lEE 6 42 OF THE wEEk “It’sFAN the quarter-final of a was used as aMcCUllOCH substitute Skipper hasMontrose always enjoyed Gordon Watson from Auckland, New Zealand major tournament and we against onfacing the Toon want to progress so we will September 23 and impressed AlAN 46approach BlUEPriNTS it in that manner. enough to earn aPArdEw starting 12 Newcastle boss targets a victory at Ibrox Supporters send in their favourite snaps “In the last round we slot against Motherwell Motherwell who were in the third of the THE round OPPOSiTiON 16 50faced williE MATHiESON the his SPL the time League Cup. All the info on Newcastle’s current squad Barcatop Bearof relives Gersatcareer and we played really well He said: “Walking out night to beat them 2-0. onto the pitchMEETiNgS and hearing 22 PrEviOUS 58that kidS ZONE Matchbeing details from post-war games Two pages to keepthat youngproves Gers fansthat amused “I think my name announced Rangers can play against over the PA system was Ibrox Stadium, PlAyEd FOr BOTH 24 64any STATS 150 Edmiston Drive, Glasgow, G51 2XD team&inAPPEArANCES the country. something else. Tel: 0871 702 1972 Fax: 0141 580 8504 Players with links to Gers and the Toon This season’s fixtures, results and line-ups “It was my biggest test so “I’m sure all the fans back ChaIrmaN Walter Smith OBE far and I felt I did well but all at the Toronto No1 club were My ofTOP TEN 28 NON-EXECUTIVE 66of QUiZ ChIEf EXECUTIVE OffICEr Craig Mather the boys to were up knowledge for that allAndy really proud me.” fINaNCIal DIrECTOr Brian Stockbridge Little discusses his favourite things 20 tricky questions test your one because they wanted Like any youngster, Aird NON-EXECUTIVE DIrECTOrs Ian Hart, James Easdale, Bryan Smart to prove that we can match is still learning the game maNagEr Ally McCoist MBE teams from the SPL. and he is liable to be prone assIsTaNT maNagEr Kenny McDowall fIrsT TEam COaCh Ian Durrant “The fans were right to the odd mistake or bad DOCTOr Paul Jackson behind us that night and decision on the pitch. PhysIOThEraPIsT Steve Walker we started the game really However, he is being gOalkEEPINg COaCh Jim Stewart hEaD Of sPOrTs sCIENCE Jim Henry well with a strong first 15 schooled well at Murray massEUr Davie Lavery minutes and I think that Park. He said: “The “Guys like LeeJimmy McCulloch, kIT CONTrOllEr Bell VIDEO aNalysIs Steve Harvey was the key for us. coaches have been Lee Wallace and Ian Black “I nearly scored in that brilliant. Kenny McDowall also take the young lads game. I did all the hard and Ian Durrant talk to the raNgErs wOrlDwIDE allIaNCE 0141 580 8670 work by coming inside but young lads and explain EmaIland jhannah@rangers.co.uk aside give them good I just didn’t have the end what they need to do. raNgErs assEmBly President Andy Kerr EmaIl assembly@thebluenose.co.uk advice. It really helps.” product. The positive was “The senior players are assEmBly wEB sITE www.thebluenose.co.uk that it showed I can get the same. Guys like Lee PrOgrammE EDITOr Neil Smith into those positions. McCulloch, Lee Wallace PUBlICaTIONs EDITOr Andrew Dickson “I haven’t scored that and Ian Black also take the ONlINE EDITOr David Melvin many goals since I came young lads aside and give PhOTOgraPhy Kirk O’Rourke markETINg EXECUTIVE Zoe Norris to Rangers so to get my them good advice. It really aDVErTIsINg 0141 580 8665 first goal for the top team helps.” EmaIl editor@rangers.co.uk TEl 0141 580 8500 would be very special. The 17-year-old might The views in this magazine are not necessarily the views “Rangers have always be a bit of an unknown of Rangers Football Club. All material is copyrighted and may only be reproduced with the written permission of been about getting to cup quantity to Inverness who Rangers Football Club. The appearance of an advert within this publication does not necessarily mean that the goods/ finals and winning trophies come to Ibrox with their services advertised are associated with or endorsed by Rangers Football Club. All facts and information accurate and that doesn’t change own aspirations. at time of going to press. this year. Aird is convinced “If we can get past Rangers will be in the DEsIgN Gareth@GND EmaIl info@weareGND.com Inverness then the next same frame of mind which PrINT L&S Litho Printers Ltd TEl 0141 554 2237 game would be the semiproved so successful in the finals at Hampden next last round and he is aware year and that would be of the responsibility and hONOUrs fantastic for all of us. expectation even although EUROPEAN CUP WINNERS’ CUP Winners 1972, Runners-up 1961, 1967 UEFA CUP Runners-up 2008 SCOTTISH LEAGUE CHAMPIONS 1891 1899 we 1959 know the is in 1900club 1901 1902 1911 remarkable 1912 1913 1918 1920 1921 1923 1924 1925 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1933 1934 1935 1937 1939 1947 1949“However 1950 1953 1956 1957 1961 we 1963 1964 1975 1976 1978 1987 1989 CHAMPIONS have a 3tough job on2013 our circumstances right now1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1999 2000 2003 2005 2009 2010 2011 SFL DIVISION SCOTTISH CUP WINNERS 1894 1897 1898 1903 1928 1930 1932 1934 1935 1936 1948 1949 1950 1953 1960 1962 1963 1964 1966 1973 1976 1978 1979 1981 hands.” after the horrendous
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1992 1993 1996 1999 2000 2002 2003 2008 2009 SCOTTISH LEAGUE CUP WINNERS 1946/47 1948/49 1960/61 1961/62 1963/64 1964/65 1970/71 1975/76 1977/78 1978/79 1981/82 1983/84 1984/85 1986/87 1987/88 1988/89 1990/91 1992/93 1993/94 1996/97 1998/99 2001/02 2002/03 2004/05 2007/08 2009/10 2010/11
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Sebastien Faure
Words Neil Smith Photos Kirk O’Rourke
R
Seb delighted to have joined list of French players at Rangers
Alles les Bleus 14
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He said: “I’m really enjoying ANGERS new boy Sebastien Faure is being at Rangers. proud to be the latest French player to “The manager, players and have signed for Rangers and he wants coaches have been really nice to to make the most of the opportunity that has me and helped me a lot and the come his way. fans are incredible. The 21-year-old has looked back into the “Murray Park is also a special history of his new club and is aware that several place and it shows the ambition of his countrymen have pulled on a Light Blue Rangers have and have always had. jersey in the past. “But I knew this already. Basile Boli was the first French star to move “A lot of top French players have to Ibrox when Walter Smith swooped for the played for Rangers in the past and it’s a Champions League winner’s signature in June great club. 1994, beating off competition from Arsenal, “Jeremy Clement Tottenham and Genoa for the 46 played for Lyon before he times capped Marseille legend. moved here and I worked Danish winger Brian with Jean-Alain Boumsong Laudrup also signed at “I am proud to be for two years at Lyon after that time and both were he had been at Juventus. He is paraded on the same day. here at Rangers a very good player also. But it was during the “So I am proud to be here at Dick Advocaat era that and I’m looking Rangers and I’m looking forward a steady flow of French forward to the to the challenges ahead.” players joined the Faure was blown away by the club and Stephane challenges ahead.” club’s support when he watched Guivarc’h was Rangers’ first home match in next, moving from the Third Division against East Newcastle United in Stirlingshire from the Main Stand. November 1998 in And having made his debut on Thursday night the same year he had enjoyed World against Falkirk he is determined to play a big Cup success with his national team. part as the Light Blues look to climb through the Alex McLeish, Paul Le Guen and divisions. Walter Smith, in his second spell, He said: “I was in the stadium for the first continued to dip into the French league game with 50,000 fans and that was market before Ally McCoist made his beautiful. sixth summer signing with the “For me it is incredible because I knew Rangers arrival of Faure. from my time in France. He had been training “So it is very exciting to sign a three-year at Murray Park for two contract here as a young player. weeks before officially “It was a big moment in my career.” signing on August 22 A former French youth international, Faure and already the former came through Lyon’s youth academy and Lyon centre half feels at progressed into their senior squad. home in Glasgow.
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Sebastien Faure But although he did play for them in the French League Cup, he left the Stade de Gerland without making any appearances for them in his country’s top flight. For all that, he still has plenty of pedigree and was in Les Bleus’ squad for the Under-20 World Cup last year in Colombia and helped them finish fourth. Faure struggled with injuries last season as a broken toe hindered him at Lyon then caused problems in the second half of the campaign while on loan at Nantes after it seemed it had healed.
Red White and Bleu HERE are the French players that featured in competitive games for Rangers: Basile Boli (inset) 1994 -95 App: 31 Goals: 3 Stéphane Guivarc’h 1998–99 App: 18 Goals: 7 Lionel Charbonnier 1998–00 App: 30 Fabrice Fernandes 2000–01 App: 4 Goals: 1 Jérôme Bonnissel 2002–03 App: 4 Goals: 0 Jean-Alain Boumsong 2004–05 App: 28 Goals: 2 Grégory Vignal 2004–05 App: 42 Goals: 3 José-Karl Pierre-Fanfan 2005–06 App: 10 Goals: 1 Olivier Bernard 2005–06 App: 15 Goals: 0
He is now fully fit but knows he will face stiff competition for a place in his new manager’s starting eleven. He said: “I’m really excited about what is ahead but I know I’m not guaranteed to play. “There are very good players in every position at Rangers and I will have to work very hard to get into the team and play well to stay there. “The games will be difficult, I have seen this already. “I was in Berwick and it was like a Cup final for them. “We will have to fight for every point in the Third Division but I expected that. “We now play Elgin City so we need to play well if we want to get the win we need.”
Julien Rodriguez 2005–07 App: 49 Goals: 1 Jérémy Clément 2006–07 App: 23 Goals: 0 William Stanger 2006-07 App: 1 Goals: 0 Lionel Letizi 2006–07 App: 8 Jean-Claude Darcheville (inset) 2007–09 App: 59 Goals 16 Jérôme Rothen 2009–10 App: 8 Goals 0
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