Murray hands out #2m gift

The money accrued from the forthcoming UEFA Cup tie against Kaiserslautern and, indeed, any further progression, will be made available for squad improvement, and taking into account the television revenue and ticket sales for the third-round tie against the Bundesliga side, Advocaat is likely to bolster his squad for the second half of the domestic campaign.

In his first interview since the Ibrox club's failure to reach the second group phase of the lucre-laden Champions League, Murray expressed his disappointment at another early exit, but stressed that his determination to make Rangers a genuine European force had not diminished.

''I am as disappointed as anyone about leaving the Champions League and moving into the UEFA Cup,'' he said. ''Yes, there was a lot of money to be made there, but we can also gain a lot of revenue from the UEFA Cup, and I can tell every Rangers fan that every penny made will be given to Dick to reinvest in the team.''

Murray also praised the Ibrox fans for their continued support during the club's most turbulent spell since Walter Smith's fruitless final year in charge three years ago.

Despite spending more than #8m on Dutch defenders Bert Konterman and Fernando Ricksen in the summer, Rangers have haemorrhaged goals and as a result have slipped 13 points behind Martin O'Neill's revitalised Celtic, while their hopes of making it to the latter stages of the Champions League have been dashed for another season.

Nevertheless, almost 45,000 tickets have already been sold for the first leg tie against Kaiserslautern on November 30, and Murray said: ''You have to deal with hard times, but what has astounded me has been the incredible backing of the supporters.

''We have had a bad month, there is no getting away from that, but what has given me reassurance is that 99 per cent of fans who have written to me have offered support. Of course, there have been one or two cryptic letters, but you have to accept that and I will respond to them swiftly.''

He insists the club ''will only come out stronger'' from the bad experience, and on the club's website, Murray alluded to an over-the-top reaction to their form slump in some quarters of the Press.

''We have had difficult times before. I remember losing to Falkirk, Celtic, and AEK Athens in the space of a week and we were slaughtered for it. The same thing happened this time. In the eyes of the Press we 'crashed' out of the Champions League but Celtic merely 'exited' the UEFA Cup. However, these are things you have to live with.''

Konterman will meet up again with mentor Jimmy Calderwood this afternoon, and the defender is adamant that the Dunfermline manager will pay up on an outstanding bet.

The Dutch internationalist's early career was nurtured by Calderwood at Willem II, and after being reunited in Glasgow earlier this season, the two came to an agreement that the loser at Ibrox would stump up a meal for two. Rangers triumphed 4-1, but Konterman has yet to receive the slap-up treatment and is willing to offer Calderwood the opportunity to get even.

''He still owes me a dinner from the last game but we haven't had the time yet, so maybe I will make another bet with him. What is it they call it in Scotland? Double or quits?

''Jimmy was my manager for five years and he was very important for my footballing career. He's an honest, great person who is showing at Dunfermline what a good manager he is.''

Konterman has endured a traumatic first few months at Ibrox, and having failed to forge a partnership with Lorenzo Amoruso, was utilised in midfield in last Sunday's 2-1 win over Aberdeen. He has since expressed a desire to remain in that position to boost his chances of returning to the international fold, but that was given short shrift by Advocaat, who countered curtly: ''Bert will play where I put him.''

Advocaat has clearly not taken to the internet revolution and was quick to reprimand Fernando Ricksen after he went on-line to boast of ''straightening out'' Darren Young at Pittodrie. There was no fine but a stern warning that any repeat would not be tolerated.

The manager was, however, boosted by goalkeeper Stefan Klos' early return from an ankle injury. The German's experience was badly missed during the climax of Champions League Group D, and after having fully rehabilitated in his homeland, Klos is ready to re-establish himself as No.1 despite the recent arrival of #2m Danish internationalist Jesper Christiansen.

He is almost certain to return to action this afternoon and said: ''It was disappointing to miss so many big games because the same thing happened last year, but I am focused on playing again. We have lost a lot of points but I still think we can win the league.''

Advocaat will also welcome back Arthur Numan, but Craig Moore, who is back home in Australia, is out for at least another three weeks with his long-term knee injury.

Dunfermline's Moroccan internationalist Youssef Rossi is in line to make his long-awaited debut and will cross swords with the man who has suffered a similar injury nightmare.

Rossi represented his country against a Holland side including Michael Mols two years ago. The two have since been sidelined with career-threatening cruciate ligament damage, and Rossi, who has only had 20 minutes match football in the past year, admitted he will have to maintain a cautious approach.

''Michael has had the same operation as myself, but he was carrying a knee injury for years because coaches wanted to play him,'' he said. ''Here at Dunfermline there is no pressure on me to play until I am sure of my fitness.''

BOOKIES' VIEW: Dunfermline 7-1, Rangers 2-5, draw 10-3.