Quiet man must step up a gear

Wright's arrival mirrored perfectly his nature.

Quiet and unassuming, Wright is easily the type who could find himself

submerged and then lost among the many egos and characters who make up

the new Rangers.

The former Aberdeen defender, who was signed for #1.5m, will be 24 the

day before Rangers move into European action next week, and he will have

to assert himself around Ibrox. Wright must accept this opportunity to

take the step from solid journeyman to genuine craftsman, and to do so

he may have to come out of his shell and make his presence felt more

than he has managed so far in his career.

When he broke into Aberdeen's first team he turned heads with his

reading of the game and his speed, but as with most emerging talents his

development stalled and, for the past couple of seasons, he was in

jeopardy of stagnating. Aberdeen's decline and, of course, personal

injury did not help his cause, but there were times when it appeared as

though he was all too content with his lot.

In fact, too many of Aberdeen's younger players appeared to be

hampered by a similar affliction, but at least Rangers have pulled

Wright from what could have been described as a cosy, safe job and given

him the chance to go forward. Probably their interest was pressed home

just in time, because another season or two without the added stimulus

of being part of a truly large club and it might have been too late for

Wright.

Now life begins again for the full back, and provided that the player

Walter Smith believes lurks within Wright's slight frame can be teased

and tempted to emerge, he could become an exciting addition to what

again is beginning to look like a powerful squad.

While they wait for Paul Gascoigne to regain the sharpness of instinct

and reflex which carried him to superstardom, Rangers will shuttle their

full backs between a three and five-man defensive line, and Wright will

be allowed ample opportunity to demonstrate his skills and his worth to

the side.

He may have signed on the club's headed notepaper and he may wear the

club's tie and jacket, but that is merely superficial. He has to show

the manager and the fans that he does indeed have the right stuff.

Wright has already wasted too much time in self-satisfied mode when he

seemed content to play within himself, to do only the minimum, but that

won't be acceptable to Smith, who will demand everything his players

have to give as Rangers gear up to make an impression in Champions'

League football. Wright will find he must become more adventurous and

take a much greater part in matches.

After Rangers had beaten Steaua Bucharest 4-0 on Saturday, Wright

said: ''If I can do as well as David (Robertson) here, then I'll be a

happy man.''

Robertson and Wright were team-mates at Pittodrie and Wright could do

worse than take a close look at the other full back, who uses his

blinding speed to assist Rangers attacks and offer midfield players

options by surging through into dangerous positions. Wright, who also

has a fair turn of foot, has to make these runs also and become more

involved in what is happening in other parts of the pitch.

If he fails to do it at Ibrox, where he is surrounded by

internationalists, then he will not do it anywhere else.

Rangers want him to support forward plays and he will start the season

with that instruction. It is entirely up to the player now and he must

not become intimidated by the stature of some of those with whom he now

shares a dressing room.

Smith has had a problem at right back ever since Gary Stevens went

into decline, and after having tried such various players as Craig

Moore, Alan McLaren, John Brown, and Stuart McCall, the manager has

turned to Wright. Smith expects a great deal from the newcomer, who has

the chance to make himself an integral part of what is shaping up to be

a side of some style and panache.

Wright should be able to operate without the fear of leaving spaces

behind him should he venture forward, because Rangers will have Richard

Gough, McLaren, and Gordan Petric patrolling at the back. It should be a

formidable triumvirate and one which should give Wright the confidence

he needs.

Petric, who didn't play in Saturday's match, relishes the chance to

play against the best in Europe, although you would never know it to

look at him. He has one of those faces which registers neither despair

nor joy, but he can play a bit and the European game should suit his

style perfectly.

''A couple of clubs in England and one or two in Europe were after me,

but I have come here to a big club and now I have a big job in front of

me,'' he said. Someone asked if he felt he owed a debt of gratitude to

Ivan Golac, the former manager of Dundee United who signed him from

Partizan Belgrade, the 26-year-old thought long and hard before saying

''No.''

Petric is supremely confident in his own ability and pointed out: ''I

know how to play.''

Wright could learn from him also.