THE Rangers youngster, Rino Gattuso, has been handed the chance to become one of Italy's new breed of leading players.
The 20-year-old midfield man will fly out to his homeland after Saturday's match with St Johnstone to join a get-together of the Italian Under-21 squad.
Gattuso did not play when he was called up to face England Under-21s last year, but Ibrox manager Walter Smith reckons he can make the breakthrough. ''Rino will be available for Saturday's game after missing out last week with a slight thigh strain,'' said Smith.
''He's going away afterwards with the Italian Under-21 side where he'll meet up for training with the rest of the side. I have no qualms about him going to Italy because he thoroughly deserves it.
''He never got the chance against England, but I can see him getting his chance soon.
''I don't know the overall situation, or level of player Italy have, but he's certainly done well enough in his first season here to justify inclusion in the pool.
''When you're young and move away to another country, you're always happy to get the call from back home - it proves he's not forgotten.''
q DUNFERMLINE have agreed to a near #70,000 fee for Scott McCulloch, whom they signed from Hamilton.
The two clubs had been unable to agree a deal after the defender had left the first division side at the end of his contract.
On Monday the Scottish League had set next Thursday for a transfer tribunal. However, after further talks between the clubs, a ''mutual agreement'' was reached last night.
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