Moira Gordon: McCoist rallies his men for final push

SOMETHING WAS missing. Ian Durrant was on the phone to Ally McCoist, reporting back after another European scouting mission, this time trying to pinpoint the strengths and weaknesses of this Thursday's opponents Fiorentina.

The previous post-match calls had followed a pattern but, on this occasion, a key component was noticeable by its absence.

"He always phones me after the games he's watching and says, 'we'll hump them', but there was no 'we'll hump them' against Fiorentina, which was a bit worrying," said McCoist.

"Durranty saw them against Inter Milan and said they lost two late goals but that they were well organised. No real stars, Mutu's the main threat, but really solid and worked hard as a team. He said that when they lost the first goal their discipline went a little, but said they're as good as anything we'll face, probably on a par with Werder Bremen."

That the German side posed the greatest threat yet to Rangers' UEFA Cup aspirations is cause for concern, especially with integral members of the first choice starting XI out through suspension and injury and others still struggling to recover from knocks sustained against Celtic midweek.

While Kevin Thomson is out, it is Barry Ferguson who is likely to be the biggest loss. There are differing options when it comes to tactical and personal switches, but manager Walter Smith has admitted that his captain is the one guy he doesn't have a ready-made replica for. His leadership qualities, allied to his ball retention and ability to aid both defence and attack will be impossible to recreate in a single player, but it is hoped that those responsibilities can be shared between those who do turn out at Ibrox on Thursday.

While Lee McCulloch's ankle injury rules him out and Neil Alexander is likely to act as understudy for Allan McGregor, another significant loss, according to McCoist, is Charlie Adam. Out for the season, his absence through injury is described as a "big blow" by the assistant manager, who has been impressed with his contributions from the left hand side in European games, in particular.

"This all gives us a big problem, but it's how we adapt that's the issue," said McCoist. "But looking into our dressing-room I've every confidence the boys who come in will do all right. It's a monster game. On a different scale I was really pleased for the lads who came in against Partick Thistle and took their opportunity in a way they hadn't in the first game against Partick Thistle. Hopefully one or two will get a run in the game against St Johnstone. It is a headache we could've done without, but of course it was always going to happen. And 16 months ago we didn't have a fixture backlog, we were worrying about the lack of games we had, so we can't have it both ways."

Times have indeed changed but so too has attitude and the desire within the club.

"We have to be positive and the most important thing is to give ourselves a chance in the second game. In the past people, wrongly, have given us a bit of stick for draws at home and we've managed to get through. Our result in the first leg at home to Lisbon, 0-0, was the best result by any home team in the last round, so it shows you the importance. It's quite incredible. Playing the first one at home, the way we play, it's vitally important we give ourselves a chance of getting through."

But there is the suggestion that the counter-attacking style which has served so well until now could be less effective given the personnel at the club's disposal, and the opposition. The Italians are well-drilled and not the kind to come firing out the blocks or leave gaps to exploit as they maraud forward. Like most Italian sides they understand the philosophy of football patience but with an attacker sitting in behind the front two there is also scope for carving out an away goal of their own. If they were to manage that in Glasgow, then Rangers would have to revert to Plan B for the trip to Florence.

The only UEFA Cup away tie in which the side placed fourth in the current Serie A standings failed to score this term was the match against Everton – until the penalty shoot-out, when they held their nerve and surpassed the Goodison Park outfit – while the Italians have never yet drawn a blank at home.

"Davie Moyes has been on the phone to the manager and we'll speak to him again in more depth as the game gets closer. We haven't seen a lot of them yet, just the goals in the UEFA Cup ties, but Durranty saw them against Inter Milan and we had them watched against PSV in the away game."

But regardless what weaknesses can be identified, it's how Rangers address their own which will be paramount. Christian Dailly and Steve Davis are both likely to be deployed in midfield in the club's biggest game in decades. Ironic, says McCoist, given the raised eyebrows which greeted their signings. "A lot of people thought they weren't the most glamorous signings, let's be brutally honest, but they have been two of our most effective players since they signed and in the games coming up, they will be required."

Simply filling berths and adapting, trying to dig out a result when things seem stacked against them; it's a big ask but McCoist compares the current plight as a holiday cruise compared to problems faced in his previous incarnation as a Rangers player. He says there have always been pressures to deal with and obstacles to overcome, but the best teams cope. "I'll give you the perfect example. The Aberdeen game on the last day of the season in 1991. We had to win it to win the league and I still don't know how we did it. I was going in on the Monday for a double hernia op, Durranty was going in the following week for an op on his knee. Tom Cowan broke his leg during the game. John Brown got an injection on his achilles before the game, knowing it was going to go during the game and when his achilles snapped, totally snapped during the game, while the physio's treating him, Mark Walters came over and asked, 'Are you sure he's got to come off because I'm feeling my hamstring a bit tight'! Broony was trying to break Mark's nose while he was lying there.

"So, yeah, we have faced adversity before. Walter had just taken over and we'd lost at Motherwell the week before. We'd a few out of position that day as well, I think wee Mo (Johnston] ended up in midfield and Durranty might even have ended up at right-back and he's many things but a right-back isn't one of them! So compared to that we're on an ocean liner at the moment!"

The odds were stacked against Rangers winning that title on that day but they did it, winning their third title in the nine-in-a-row sequence.

Walter Smith may have been new to it then but he worked wonders. With luck looking like it's beginning to wane, he will have to do it again.

Rangers versus Italian opposition

RANGERS have played Italian sides on 21 occasions, winning six, losing 12 and drawing three.

• The Ibrox team have scored 18 goals and conceded 36.

• Rangers beat Livorno 3-2 away in the UEFA Cup group stage last season with goals from Charlie Adam, Kris Boyd and Nacho Novo. It was the first time a Scottish club had won on Italian soil.

• Rangers' first encounter with Italian opposition saw them thumped 6-1 on aggregate when they faced AC Milan in 1957. They crashed 4-1 at Ibrox where Max Murray got their goal and went down again 2-0 at the San Siro.

• The Ibrox side also lost home and away the next time they came up against Italians. Fiorentina won 2-0 at Ibrox in the first leg of the Cup-Winners' Cup Final in 1960 and triumphed 2-1 in Florence where Alex Scott netted for the visitors.

• Jim Forrest scored in both legs against Inter Milan in the 1965 European Cup quarter-finals, but Rangers still went out 3-2 on aggregate. They lost 3-1 in the San Siro and won 1-0 at Ibrox.

• Alex MacDonald was the Rangers hero when he bundled in the winner against Torino in the Cup-Winners' Cup quarter-final at Ibrox on their way to winning the trophy in 1972. A goal from Willie Johnston gave them a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Turin. MacDonald's effort gave them a 2-1 aggregate win.

• MacDonald was on target again, along with current SFA chief executive Gordon Smith, when Rangers overwhelmed star-studded Juventus 2-0 in Glasgow in the 1978-79 European Cup first round. They had lost the first game 1-0.

• Rangers were walloped 3-0 by Inter Milan in Italy in 1984, but won 3-1 at home with goals from Davie Mitchell and Iain Ferguson (2).

• Walter Smith's team were on the receiving end of two Champions League hammerings against Juventus in 1995-96. They lost 4-1 in Turin where Richard Gough got their goal and 4-0 at Ibrox in the return.

• A goal from Rod Wallace gave Rangers a home 1-1 draw with Parma in the 1998 UEFA Cup. They lost 3-1 in the second leg with Jorg Albertz scoring.

• Rangers got revenge on Parma in a Champions League qualifier in 1999-2000 when goals from Tony Vidmar and Claudio Reyna gave them a 2-0 win in Glasgow. They lost 1-0 in the return, but still got through 2-1 on aggregate.

• A goal from Peter Lovenkrands gave Rangers a 1-1 home draw with Inter last season. They lost 1-0 away in the earlier Champions League match.

Papac's focus fixed firmly on revenge for past cup shock that has stuck in the mind

NOVEMBER 8, 2006. A black mark in the club's history books. A night Rangers fans have tried to forget but an experience Sasa Papac has been unable to blot from his memory.

Looking ahead to this afternoon's Scottish Cup match against St Johnstone, the Bosnian is asked if he knows much about the First Division side.

"Yes, I lost against them last season!" he says, morosely. "I know they are a good team and we must be careful."

That's about as much as he needs to know because, as it stands, if he and his team-mates play to their capabilities the lower tier side shouldn't have a hope of a reprise of that torment. Unlike days under Paul Le Guen, Rangers are performing more consistently under Walter Smith and are less ripe for the cup shocks.

"We are a much better team now," . says Papac. "We are stronger and have more quality and better players. After the game against Celtic we were not happy but the team know everything is okay. Everything is still in our hands."

By everything he means the League Cup, the Scottish Cup, the Premier League and the UEFA Cup. The first of those is already safely in the Ibrox trophy cabinet and, starting today at Hampden, the next few matches should determine how many of the others will join it.

"Now is a difficult time as we are at the end of the season. We are coming to the last games in the cups and the league and we want to win everything so every game is like a final. I think we have got good quality in the team and we must be strong."

Especially as Rangers' hectic schedule is beginning to catch up with them in terms of injuries and suspensions. David Weir will be the principal absentee this afternoon. It is the first of several suspensions over the next week, with the midfield ranks depleted on Thursday when they welcome Fiorentina and Carlos Cuellar missing when they travel to Celtic Park in seven days.

But Papac insists Walter Smith has enough options at his disposal, even if players are played. With keeper Allan McGregor also expected to miss out with an injured ankle, Papac joked he would even fill in there if asked.

When he first arrived he admits he struggled with the physical nature of the Scottish game but adds that he thinks he is a better player for adding that to his play. "I like it now in Scottish football. I understand and enjoy it now. I'm enjoying my football here and we are getting results here now. Good results. It helps when you are enjoying life and your football."

This year it is the schedule of games which is proving more punishing, with the Bosnian having already turned out in 39 matches. "It's been like a double season," he says, but there are no complaints. "Most importantly we must go step by step and the next game for Rangers is important. I don't see Fiorentina. Not yet." It's St Johnstone in his sights and the quest for revenge.