FORMER Rangers striker Mark Hateley has backed Jean-Claude Darcheville to lead the Ibrox men to European glory.
Darcheville is expected to fill the lone striker's role tomorrow with the onus on the Frenchman to instigate attacks and bring his team-mates into the game. But Hateley is confident that the 32-year-old has the speed of mind and body to set the temp
o for Walter Smith's men.
"Walter will probably go with the tried and trusted formation of 4-5-1," Hateley said. "I think Darche will start up front. He is a very dynamic player, very explosive and he has that ingredient every defender hates, which is blistering pace. A lot of teams play one up front. It's an art and Darche does it well."
Swedish referee is man in middleSWEDISH referee Peter Frojdfeldt will take charge of tomorrow's final at the City of Manchester Stadium with three countrymen as his assistants.
Frojdfeldt, 44, who will also officiate at next month's European Championship in Austria and Switzerland, will have Steffen Wittberg and Henrik Andren as his linesmen and Martin Ingvarsson as the fourth official.
Sutcliffe makes racism warningSPORTS minister Gerry Sutcliffe has warned Zenit St Petersburg fans they could face prison if found guilty of racist abuse towards Rangers' black players in the final.
The Russian club have been charged by Uefa after complaints from Marseille players and Sutcliffe warned: "My message to Zenit fans is simple: come here to enjoy the game and you'll be welcomed with open arms. Come here and racially abuse players and you will feel the full force of the law."
Bookmakers lean towards ZenitRANGERS are 9-4 to complete the quadruple with bookmakers William Hill who make them 8-1 to win all five of their remaining games this season in 90 minutes. Rangers are 5-4 to win the Uefa Cup, 21-10 to do it in normal time. Zenit are 8-13 to win, 6-5 for the normal time win. The draw is 15-8.
The full article contains 345 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
