Motherwell v

Rangers

Lorenzo Amoruso yesterday reacted furiously to Monaco captain Martin Djetou's claims that Rangers were inferior and undeserving of their 1-0 victory in the Stade Louis II on Wednesday and accused the man from the Ivory Coast of bad sportsmanship.

The Italian captain suggested his Monaco counterpart ''should shut his mouth'' and expressed his disappointment that the mid-

fielder refused to return the ball to Rangers after they kicked it out to allow one of their players to receive treatment.

Djetou confidently predicted to French reporters that his side would atone for their defeat when the two meet at Ibrox in November and added: ''Rangers were not superior to us in any way and it is difficult for me to understand how we could lose. Rangers were not strong, but we failed to capitalise on their weaknesses.''

Amoruso, predictably, did not share that view and retorted: ''Djetou should shut his mouth. He is the captain of the team, but when we kicked the ball away to try to help one of their players, he did not give it back.

''You can play hard, but fair play is the most important thing and I do not care what he says. They lost to Rangers and they are going to be disappointed, but you expect a little respect and not people saying stupid things. They deserved to lose.''

Djetou's derogatory remarks, coupled with his unsportsmanlike act - which was defused by Amoruso's countryman Marco Simone knocking a resultant corner out for a goal kick - rankled the Rangers defender and he said of the unsavoury on-field incident: ''It took me completely by surprise. It is the first time that has ever happened to me in a match, although I have seen it happen before. We kicked the ball out to let somebody get attention, but it was never returned. It was something I wasn't expecting, but that's how football goes sometimes.''

It is back to league duty today for Dick Advocaat's men and with the confidence gleaned from their second Champions League win, which takes them top of Group D, Amoruso and co are determined to make inroads into Celtic's five-point advantage.

''It was a great result and very important for morale, but we are still trying to win the league, even though there are two Champions League places next season, and we know we cannot lose any more points,'' he said. ''It is a matter of going on to the pitch with total commitment because we want

to try to win as many games as possible.''

It is unlikely Advocaat will require the use of a sweeper against a Motherwell side struggling to recapture the form of last season. The Turkish Kaiser, as Tugay is now known in the Ibrox dressing room after his immaculate performance as libero in midweek, will be back in midfield at Fir Park, but a return to sweeper cannot be discounted against his former club, Galatasaray, in intimidating Istanbul.

Amoruso and Bert Konterman looked more assured with Tugay behind them, and having now recorded three consecutive clean sheets, the swarthy stopper, who is not yet fully fit after undergoing an ankle operation, admits the once-fragile partnership has strengthened significantly in the last few weeks.

''We have much better fitness levels now, but even though the defence was criticised, it was not always our fault because even the midfielders and strikers have to work back,'' he began. ''It is always difficult when you have new team-mates, especially in defence, because you cannot make too many mistakes there, but we are two clever footballers with a lot of experience and it is going to get better and better.''

The notion that those players who have been involved in energy-sapping encounters at home and abroad recently will attempt to preserve their body fuel during the domestic chores, was refuted vehemently by Amoruso, who insisted: ''We have to be professional in every match and you cannot go out and say you will give 60 per cent against Motherwell and 100 per cent against Monaco. If you are a good playeryou will give your best always.

''With the right attitude we can beat anybody, but if we go out thinking we are better than the opposition then we will lose.''

Advocaat may be forced into a change of goalkeeper against Motherwell today, with both Stefan Klos and back-up Lionel Charbonnier doubtful with injury. Klos has been struggling with an ankle injury recently and his discomfort was highlighted against Monaco, when Amoruso tracked back to take the goal kicks.

The luckless Charbonnier, who has waited patiently for his chance all this season and most of last, would have been a straight replacement for the German had he not strained a calf muscle during training yesterday, and young Mark Brown stands by to make only his second top team appearance.

The rookie performed competently in his debut last season, against Dunfermline in the CIS Insurance Cup, and could be called into action against his Ibrox mentor, Andy Goram.

''We will have to wait to see, but Lionel and Stefan are doubtful,'' said Advocaat, who will also be without Jorg Albertz with the German floored by the flu virus on top of his eye infection.

Michael Mols will play - ''he is one of the few who felt well after the European game'' - and Advocaat expects no adverse reaction to their hectic schedule.

''I did not get to bed until 5am on Wednesday, but that is part of football and you cannot complain about it. I do not think I will freshen the team up because I am not an admirer of changing things about.''

Motherwell's injury problems have been well documented this season, but Billy Davies may be boosted by the return of John Spencer, Paul Harvey, and Derek Adams.

Defender Greg Strong, another who has just returned to action, is hoping the team can bounce back from their 2-0 defeat against Hibs last weekend.

''There could not be a bigger test because Rangers are the best team in the country, but these are the games you look forward to,'' said the Englishman. ''We beat them at the end of last season and that result showed we can compete with the best.

''If we can reach that level then I am sure we can achieve something similar, but we are at home so we have to go for the win.''

BOOKIES' VIEW: Motherwell 7-1, Rangers 2-5, draw 10-3.