Smith tries new system

RANGERS manager Walter Smith will unleash the twin talents of Paul

Gascoigne and Brian Laudrup in the tiny town of Grena as Rangers open

their three-game tour. At the same time, the Ibrox team will parade the

new formation Smith intends to use in the season ahead.

As he arrived in the seaside town in Jutland which will be the team's

headquarters for the next week, Smith spelled out some of his plans for

the future. These will be put into operation publicly for the first time

when they face Brondby tonight.

Summer signing Gascoigne and last season's success story Laudrup will

be handed key roles in the new Rangers system. So will the former

Aberdeen full-back pairing of Stephen Wright and David Robertson.

Explained Smith: ''We have been working on the system in the

closed-door games we have had back home. What we want to do is allow the

players a set-up which will suit their abilities. I suppose one could

say we are playing three at the back -- but with some differences.

''Essentially we want to give Gascoigne and Laudrup freedom. We want

them to have the opportunity to express themselves, to show what they

can do. When you have players with their skills, then you must try to

build your team around them.

''Similarly, we have full backs who like to get forward and use the

ball and they will get the chance to do that.

''Coaches do not really impose tactics or systems on players -- the

type of players who are available tends to dictate the style of any

team.''

Last season, Smith experimented with three central defenders in Athens

and it brought defeat, and an exit from Europe. Similar attempts at club

level and with the national team have also failed.

I can remember the late Jock Stein trying it with the national side

and being left embarrassed by a group of players who simply did not want

to change from their normal way of play. However, at national level now,

Scotland manager Craig Brown has used it successfully in the European

Championship qualifying games.

Now Smith seems determined to persevere with the set-up he believes is

best for Rangers. ''We will not simply be using these tactics in

Europe,'' he insisted. ''This is how we see the team playing throughout

the season.''

Alan McLaren, of course, became used to this style with Hearts,

possibly the only Scottish club to use the system successfully.

Australian Craig Moore grew up in his home country playing the same

way and his mentor, former Australian manager Eddie Thomson, maintains

that a central defensive role is Moore's best position. Brian Reid, too,

could find it easy to slot into the style.

Skipper Richard Gough will be asked to gaffer the young men who will

be alongside him as Rangers attempt to utilise the skills available to

them in the best possible fashion.

However, while the tactics were Smith's main concern yesterday, some

of his players recognised that the midfield area of the team will

provide him with the kind of selection problems managers enjoy.

Stuart McCall said: ''There are possibly 10 players who will be

competing for just three or four places in the middle of the park. That

is how difficult it is going to be.

''Obviously, Gazza is the first name the manager will put down as he

names a team. All of us want to be in there playing alongside him.

''It is not going to be easy. Ian Durrant has been rejuvenated since

he came back from Everton and signed a new contract, and Charlie Miller

had a great first season.

''All of us, naturally, want to qualify for the Champions' League.

Losing to AEK last season was a kick in the ribs and it affected our

whole season.

''We played at our peak for perhaps only two months, in December and

January, and that won us the title. We need to do well in Europe.''

Here, when they face Brondby, the first hints will emerge as to how

successful this Rangers team may be -- and just how much influence

Gascoigne and Laudrup can have on the men around them.