FOLLOW THE LEADER - FOLLY THE LEADER

ALAN McLAREN has watched from a distance as David Murray and Vladimir Romanov have thrown their weight about in different ways over the last two weeks.

He knows which method he prefers and it isn't the Hearts owner's.

McLaren defended with distinction for both Hearts and Rangers in a career that was cut short by injury and he remains close to both clubs. Which is why he has hated seeing them enveloped by turmoil over the past few months.

But he reckons that Murray's directness in going straight into the Rangers dressing room and telling players to get their fingers out is a much better approach than Romanov's cloak and dagger man-management style.

McLaren, who spent yesterday afternoon with former Hearts team-mate Scott Crabbe and ex- Celtic winger Brian McLaughlin celebrating a sponsorship deal for all three clubs with Scottish Leader whisky, hopes both sides can get their act together sooner rather than later.

And he admits that tomorrow's showdown at Tynecastle will be crucial.

He said: "It's a massive game for both clubs but probably more so for Rangers because they are trailing Celtic and Hearts in the title race. The Rangers chairman is very loyal. There is no way he was going to search the continent for a manager and then bin him after three months.

"Things haven't progressed as well as everyone anticipated but he's loyal and he feels he's got the right man for it.

"I think he's gone into the dressing room in the past and he feels that works for him.

"He didn't do it in my time there but we were a winning team. We had Walter Smith and Archie Knox who kept on top of us.

"But David Murray went in and gave the Rangers players his feelings face to face, rather than the skulduggery that Romanov has been displaying at Hearts.

"The players will appreciate that David Murray is the man in charge and wants an improvement. He has strong feelings for the club and doesn't want it to be scraping third or fourth place.

"He wants them winning the league so it shows that he still has a great affection for the club.

"He did fork out £50million not that long ago on a shares issue but people have forgotten that.

"He's been there for almost 20 years and that's a long time to run any club. Doug Ellis is probably the only one who did it for as long but he didn't put the money into Aston Villa that Murray has put into Rangers.

"He put in that £50m and although we are not seeing players being brought in for that kind of money, the debt has been almost wiped out which is fantastic. But supporters want winning sides and we've not got that at the moment."

McLaren believes the next transfer window will be vital and he reckons Paul Le Guen must improve upon his signing track record.

He added: "January is important in terms of getting players in and you have to say Le Guen's record has been poor. The players he's brought in to compliment what was there have not worked at all.

"Do you throw silly money at it? It's January remember and if you want players you have to pay good money.

"A win over Hearts and then against Auxerre would ease the pressure a little bit on Le Guen.

"They have been doing well in Europe but domestic football is your bread and butter and that's where you qualify for the Champions League, which means big money.

"That's where your fans watch you play every week and while a great run in Europe is fine, if you are languishing in third or fourth place, nowhere near next year's Champions League, that's all forgotten.

"But I think his priority is to get a settled side. I refuse to believe Paul Le Guen knows his first 11.

"The goalkeeper is always changing, the central defensive pairing seems to change every week and only Steven Smith, Barry Ferguson and Jeremy Clement will be the definite starts each week."

Former Hearts striker Crabbe, now playing with East Fife, knows his beloved Jambos are in turmoil but believes cultural differences are playing a massive part. He said: "When I was at Tynecastle, Wallace Mercer never interfered but that's the way Romanov has done it over the years in his country and that's the way he thinks it should be done.

"It's not in our culture to do that but clearly that's how it is done in Lithuania.

"It takes people time to get used to it and he has the right to do it his way, as the club owner. People will have to get used to a different way of working."

But he agrees with McLaren that tomorrow's 90 minutes will be vital. Crabbe added: "It's a massive game.

"Rangers have been inconsistent this year and obviously Hearts have gone through a sticky spell. But they are still second and as a Hearts supporter I am happy with that.

"Celtic are running away with it because of their consistency but if Hearts were to finish second again I think it would be a successful season.

"Home advantage is massive against the Old Firm and they have to make the most of it.

"I am sure the guys will be majorly up for it.

"As soon as you cross the line you concentrate on the game and forget about everything else.

"With everything that has been going on off the park, they'll be desperate to get out on to the pitch. That's where players are happiest. It's a great fixture to be involved in and I think it will be a release for them.

"When you are playing against Rangers you are always up for it. I know I was.

"But Rangers get that every week and it's up to their new players to get used to it.

"Hearts have to get used to it as well now because they are considered a big scalp by the others.

"The expectations on Hearts are massive this season after what they did last year. Now the Hearts players will know how Rangers feel - they've had to cope with it for years.

"For that reason, I think if Hearts finish second again it would be an even bigger achievement than last season.

"To do it twice on the bounce, splitting the Old Firm, would be pretty good going. I think they can do it - they've got the squad."

Taken from the Daily Record