Lesson for Rangers to learn from a classy Italian job by Sampdoria

night with other things on their minds. It has been no secret that their

early European Cup meeting with AEK Athens -- the first leg is in Greece

next week -- could make or break the club financially for the season.

But as a dress rehearsal this was something of a disaster.

Walter Smith's men were subjected to a storm of booing from their fans

as they tossed away a two-goal lead to the Italians. Early promise

turned into a late lament as Sampdoria shrugged off early errors and

handed out a lesson.

Two goals up after half an hour through Mark Hateley and Trevor

Steven, Rangers looked to be coasting, but Italian skill, and a static

Scots' defence turned it around.

Mauro Bertarelli gave Sampdoria hope with a goal before half-time, and

as Rangers' confidence ebbed, Croatian Vladimir Jugovic equalised and

Alessandro Melli hit the killing blow in the second half.

A last-minute spot kick from Bertarelli certainly did not flatter the

Italians, who now will meet Newcastle after their penalty shoot-out

victory over Manchester United.

As the game progressed, Sampdoria proved themselves so superior in

almost every department they could have won in a canter, and at times

only fit again Andy Goram stood between Rangers and humiliation.

Indeed, there were chilling words for Rangers from Sampdoria's English

international midfielder David Platt afterwards. ''We were only at 45

per cent tonight,'' he said. ''We have been training for just 11 days.

It was our first game.''

And Rangers manager Walter Smith was in no mood for excuses. He said:

''We had a chance to go three ahead and that could have won the game for

us, but this has given us a little jolt -- made us realise that we have

to work harder.''

Now Rangers have qualified for the early shift today -- a play-off for

third place at 4.0pm against Manchester United -- but despite that tasty

morsel for the fans, again the team's thoughts must be towards Athens

and maybe the folly of exposing themselves to such ruthless

professionalism as was displayed by Sampdoria.

Rangers stuck by the same 11 men throughout the match, which was a

hint that they were who Smith had earmarked for the Athens job. He may

well have to think again, and how he must be regretting the fact that

Basile Boli, their new central defender from Marseille, will miss the

match in Greece because of suspension. Boli will play this afternoon.

Nothing could have prepared the Rangers fans for their journey from

ecstasy to despondency. They took the lead after just four minutes with

a delightful goal involving all three front men.

Brian Laudrup made a lot of space on the left, pushed the ball on to

Ally McCoist, and when his cutback reached Hateley, the big striker sent

a low left-foot volley past Walter Zenga, who was left flatfooted.

There was then a hectic spell midway in the first half when both sides

could, and should have scored. Goram brought off a marvellous save from

Melli in 20 minutes and five minutes later, he had a double stop from

Jugovic and Bertarelli.

In between Sampdoria had an amazing let-off when Ferguson released

McCoist with a 40-yard cross. When the striker turned the ball towards

Laudrup, the Dane's first effort hit a post, his second shot was blocked

by Zenga, and with the goal gaping, Hateley completely missed his kick

from a couple of yards.

Rangers, however, did increase their lead in 31 minutes.

Again Laudrup provided the ammunition with a cross from the left which

took a deflection off Rossi. The ball soared to Steven who chested it

down and sent a shot past Zenga. Sampdoria must have felt like a

racehorse left at the post in a five furlong race, but showing deep

commitment, they fought back with Melli sending a header off a post, and

then in 37 minutes they gave themselves a lifeline.

Gough, McPherson and Brown were all left stranded as Bertarelli was

given space to steer a drive beyond Goram.

After 57 minutes the Italians, who had made a remarkable recovery from

the early shocks, made it 2-2. Jugovic gathered a ball some 30 yards

from goal and with no apparent danger dragged the ball past Ferguson

before thumping a glorious drive behind Goram.

And in 65 minutes Rangers' embarrassment was all too obvious as the

Italians struck again. This time Platt pierced the defence with a

through ball and with Rangers expecting an offside decision -- really

not on because Robertson was deep on the left -- Melli skipped round

Goram and stroked the ball home.

Between then and the final minute when Bertarelli scored from the spot

after McPherson had fouled Platt, it was mostly exhibition stuff from

the Italians and all so depressing for Rangers.

RANGERS -- Goram, McCall, Robertson, Gough, McPherson, Brown, Steven,

I Ferguson, McCoist, Hateley, Laudrup. Substitutes -- Boli, Durrant,

Maxwell, Durie, Murray.

SAMPDORIA -- Zenga, Serena, Rossi, Platt, Vierchowod, Miahailovic,

Lombardo, Jugovic, Melli, Bertarelli, Maspero. Substitutes -- Nuciari,

Saccetti, Salsano, Invernizzi, Sala.

Referee: J McCluskey, Stewarton.