Rangers v Hearts
FURTHER EVIDENCE, if it was needed, that Rangers' manager Dick Advocaat has an uncomplicated attitude when it comes to players coming in or going out of Ibrox was provided yesterday when he talked of Rino Gattuso and Stephane Giuvarc'h.
Gattuso will sign for Serie A side Salernitana next week if the #3m deal is completed, while Guivarc'h has decided he will not be leaving Newcastle United for Glasgow.
In Gattuso's case, Advocaat accepts that the player wants first team football which he cannot be guaranteed at Ibrox. ''If he wants to go, he can go, but at the moment he is still a Rangers player,'' said Advocaat with a shrug of his shoulders. ''In fact, it is only because Kancheslkis is back that he is not in the squad tomorrow.
''I was very pleased with Gattuso against Beitar and Dunfermline, but he wanted first team football and I accept that.''
Guivarc'h, said the manager, wants to stay in England or go back to France. ''We felt he would have improved the squad but we'll just have to do without him,'' was accompanied by another shrug. ''We would have liked another striker, but the players we have here have done a good job so far.''
He pointed out that Brazilian stirker Christian was still a possible target but needed to be watched in a few games. ''He is a very expensive player and I have only seen 10 minutes on tape of him and we have to be sure he is right.
The Dutchman, clearly in good form after the two-week break, was eager to compliment today's opponents at Ibrox, Hearts, but did admit, with a twinkle in his eye, that he is taking time to learn the ways of other managers in Scotland.
''They are the only team to have beaten us this season in the first game, and I noticed that Jim Jefferies said they bombarded us in the first half. He was right, but he didn't say anything about the second half. I though we played well in the second half.
''I like to say good things about the other team, but I am beginning to see I'm the only one,'' he said, scarcely controlling the grin that lay behind his words. ''Maybe for the other coaches it is hard to say good things about Rangers or Celtic but, anyway, I still think Hearts are a good side.''
He was reluctant to admit the break had been good for his team. ''I read somewhere that Fulton and Porrini said the same as me, that it is good to get a couple of days rest, and a barman and station worker complained that they didn't get a break.'' He added, more seriously, that he felt the players came back looking and sounding refreshed on Monday.
Arthur Numan and Gordon Durie will play in the youth team on Monday. The Dutchman could be included in the pool for the trip to Germany for the UEFA Cup-tie on Wednesday, but Durie will need more time.
Meanwhile, Lionel Charbonnier spoke of his decision to walk out of the French national training camp last week after being told Bernard Lama, who was not even in the squad, would take over from injured Fabien Barthes against Russia.
''I am not a prima donna,'' said the likeable Frenchman, ''I just felt it was wrong when I had a letter saying I was the No.2 to be told I was not playing, even before we had started training. The manager had not come to see me playing for Rangers. I went straight to his room and we had a conversation about it, but there was no shouting. I did not say I would not play for France again. If I'm called to play I'd want to play for my country.''
Gabriel Amato is recovering well from his knee injury, but has not convinced Advocaat that he is ready to return which is why Seb Rozental gets the place over him today. The Chilean is a likely substitute at some stage in the game.
Hearts manager Jefferies believes he now has the strongest squad since he took over at Tynecastle four seasons ago.
In the last two weeks Jefferies has brought former French Footballer Of The Year, Vincent Guerin, young Spaniard Juanjo and Gary McSwegan of Dundee United into the Tynecastle fold.
He also has injury victims Steve Fulton, Rab McKinnon and Thomas Flogel back in contention. One player who is certain to feature at some stage is former Rangers man McSwegan, who signed a four-year deal with the Tynecastle club 10 days ago and is set to make his competitive debut for his new club.
Gary scored three goals in his last five games for Dundee United and twice for his new club in a closed-door 5-0 victory over Raith Rovers on Wednesday.
BOOKIES' VIEW: Rangers 8-13, Hearts 4-1, draw 12-5
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