OTHER than the fact that it is Friday, it will be like old times at
Ibrox tonight when Richard Gough returns to the Rangers team, Ally
McCoist continues his recovery alongside Mark Hateley, and Aberdeen,
with some of the country's best young players in their line-up, provide
the opposition, writes Ian Paul.
The major difference is that, unlike just about every other occasion
in recent times when the two met, the team from the north is messing
about at the bottom of the premier division, rather than doing its best
to knock the champions off their peg.
If it is a scenario that infuriates their fans, Aberdeen can be sure
that it baffles their opponents, not least McCoist. ''When you look at
their players it is impossible to understand why they are at the
bottom,'' he said. ''But that is where they are, and they don't seem to
be gelling. We can't afford to have any sympathy because we want to go
clear at the top of the league by beating them.''
Ally himself needs two goals to reach a remarkable 300 total for the
club but, while that is his short-term aim, he is much more motivated by
another milestone, the 236 he needs to pass Bob McPhail's League scoring
record for Rangers. ''I need 17 to beat that total. If I can beat Mr
McPhail's record I will be thrilled.
''I believe if it hadn't been for injuries, I would have done it by
now but I am still desperate to get there and I am going to do it
because I think it could take a bit of beating in this day and age.''
The ebullient striker, who made his first start since August in the
1-1 draw with Falkirk last weekend when he admitted to feeling tired in
the second half, eagerly looks forward to benefiting from the good form
of his old buddy, Hateley, and Brian Laudrup.
''They are creating so many chances that I am hoping I get the
opportunity to get in on some of them.''
Meanwhile, Gough, who has been out since suffering an ankle injury
against Hibs on October 8, will team up with Alan McLaren for the first
time since the former Hearts man arrived Ibrox. And with Basile Boli
also in the defence, the problem for manager Walter Smith is how to set
out his tactics. But, with Craig Moore suspended, the decision may be
about which one will be right back, rather than a more radical
alteration.
Aberdeen have had serious problems in that area of their own team and
one of the members of the defence, Gary Smith, is honest enough to say
so publicly. ''A lot of our results have been down to bad defending and
losing soft goals,'' he said. ''Last season our defence was one of the
best in the league and now it is one of the worst.''
Aberdeen have not beaten Rangers at Ibrox under Willie Miller but, as
Smith says, if they break that run they could reap big dividends from
the boost that it would give the club.
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