Laudrup's comeback

Paul Sinclair

4 Aug 1997

THE Rangers captain, Brian, Laudrup, will return to the first team for this evening's premier division match against Hearts at Ibrox.

Apart from the victims of long-term injuries like Lorenzo Amaruso and Stuart McCall, manager Walter Smith has virtually a full squad from which to choose, although Paul Gascoigne is suspended.

Goalkeeper Andy Goram is added to the squad, having played in a reserve match on Saturday.

''Obviously I am pleased to have Brian back,'' said Smith, ''but we are desperately needing to be involved in competitive matches, and I am sure the game against Hearts will be as competitive as they come.'' Even the first qualifying round of the Champions' League, against Gotu of the Faroes, has not given Rangers a serious challenge, and Smith wants to see his team perform in a more testing environment.

Last weekend Rangers lost 3-2 to Hearts at Tynecastle in a testimonial for Dave McPherson, but Smith does not see that match as having any bearing on this evening's game.

''The teams which played in that match will bear no relation to the teams for this match,'' Smith said.

''First and foremost it is important for us to win the game.

Rangers have to be seen to be winning games no matter the opposition.'' Laudrup, despite the fact he has still to experience the sensation of winning when captaining Rangers in a premier division match, is proud to have been handed the captain's armband on a permanent basis.

''It is an honour to follow someone as successful as Richard Gough,'' Laudrup said.

''It took me only a few minutes to agree to become captain after speaking to Walter.

I have been skipper of the Danish side about six or seven times, so it is not a new role for me.

But in Denmark the role of captain doesn't seem to carry the same prestige as it does here.'' Hearts, have major injury problems before a ball is kicked in earnest.

They could be without four key defenders and striker Colin Cameron is struggling.

Gary Locke is suffering from the same injury, while Gary Naysmith, Dave McPherson, and Neil Pointon have knee problems.

Hearts assistant-manager Billy Brown believes that his side can ruin the party atmosphere as Rangers unfurl their ninth consecutive league championship flag.

''We have a decent record at Ibrox and this is a challenge we are relishing,'' he said.

''There is not much difference between us and Rangers - only about £14m.

''They have splashed out a vast amount of money on foreign players while we have spent nothing.'' Rangers look like strengthening further.

Finnish internationalist Jonatan Johansson, playing in Estonia for FC Flora, is likely to sign on at Ibrox after Smith has talks with his manager in Glasgow this week.

Sebastien Rozental also is due to resume training next week, having had to wait six months for a knee injury to heal.

Taken from the Herald