RANGERS returned to the training pitch yesterday when they were
instructed to run off any festive excesses, and the gaze of the
management lingered long on one player in particular, Oleg Kuznetsov.
The Ukrainian had been a source of concern to Walter Smith before
Christmas because he had gone away to nurse a damaged ankle, and the
manager suspected the central defender would not be fit in time to play
in tomorrow's match against Dunfermline at Ibrox. However, after having
watched the player train yesterday Smith was much more optimistic.
Kuznetsov, in fact, will be alongside Richard Gough at the heart of
the defensive line, provided he does not suffer any overnight reaction
to his work out. ''I expect him to be available for Saturday's game,''
Smith said, ''which is good for us and him because he is taking time
settling into our system.''
Gradually Smith is managing to persuade Kuznetsov to subdue his
instinct to man mark in favour of Rangers' zonal defensive system, and
recent signs have been encouraging. Once the player is comfortable with
the system Smith believes we will then see the full range of his
capabilities.
''I am hoping Oleg will then start bringing the ball forward out of
defence, and although we have seen him do this on occasion I think
perhaps he has been holding back because he is having to work so hard to
fit into our system, which is different from the one he was used to.''
Smith's idea is to utilise Kuznetsov's skills while in possession and
assist the midfield in breaking down the heavily-manned defences which
Rangers often come across. ''Every week we find we have to get forward
looking for a win. We have to play in every game and it's important that
we have people who can deliver passes,'' the manager added. ''Oleg is a
player capable of doing exactly that.''
While the 28-year-old acquaints himself properly with what is required
of him, it is not as though he is being asked to work without a safety
net. He knows the captain, Gough, is usually somewhere close and ready
to step in and fill any gaps should he forget and wander back into old
habits, but both players are aware there are one or two strikers in the
premier division capable of exploiting any uncertainty.
Playing in defence can be something of an exact science and Smith is
hoping Kuznetsov gets it right soon, although tomorrow's match ought to
help further his education and understanding with Gough. Both will need
to be on the same frequency at Celtic Park on New Year's Day, when
players like Charlie Nicholas and Paul McStay will be looking for even
the slightest crack in the Ibrox side's defensive armour.
Before preparing for the Old Firm match, however, Celtic have to
negotiate a journey in and out of Aberdeen knowing that they cannot
afford to lose any more points if the premier-division championship is
to become their own. They are seven points behind Rangers and nine
adrift of the leaders, Hearts, and their confidence would not be high if
they had to approach the first game of the new year nine behind their
traditional rivals.
Celtic have to beat Aberdeen, or at least avoid defeat themselves, but
they could be boosted with the return of Tony Mowbray, who has missed
six games because of an injured Achilles tendon. The Englishman made his
debut against Aberdeen at the beginning of November when Celtic won 2-1,
but it was in the next match, against Hearts, that he was injured.
Celtic's cause has not been helped either by the absence of Gary
Gillespie, who has a knee injury, and he will not play at Pittodrie. In
fact, it is extremely likely he also will miss the Old Firm game.
The Dons, who are already 13 points behind Hearts, can't even begin to
think about losing to Celtic because there would be no way back for them
if they do. Frustration must be eating away at Aberdeen's manager Alex
Smith because it was not so very long ago his team was at the top of the
league and looking good.
Smith will recall captain Alex McLeish tomorrow. The veteran defender
admits that his form since returning from an ankle stress fracture has
been below his old standards, and he was dropped for one game as he
continued to struggle.
But manager Alex Smith said yesterday: ''McLeish was not 100% fit when
he returned. He is now over the foot injury and looking much better.''
Smith also has Paul Mason, Ian Cameron and Stephen Wright available
for the sell-out match.
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