Super_Ally 0 Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 From the Evening Times. Nacho Novoâ��s super strikes have repaid value of �£450,000 transfer fee 50 times over for Rangers by Matthew Lindsay WHEN the chips are down, when all hope seems lost, when your entire season, not to mention future, is hanging by a thread, then who are you going to send for? In the case of Rangers in the last five years, there has only been one possible answer to that question - step forward super sub Nacho Novo. The little Spaniard may be highly erratic, he may not be the greatest finisher at Ibrox and he may not even be considered good enough to merit a regular first-team place. However, when the Gers have their backs against the wall and are desperately needing a lift, there is nobody better at the Glasgow club at coming off the bench and making an immediate impact. Novo, a �£450,000 signing from Dundee in 2004, did exactly that in the Homecoming Scottish Cup Final against Falkirk at Hampden on Saturday. With Walter Smith's side - many of whom still looked hungover from their marathon title celebrations - toiling badly in the heat against the Bairns, he was given the nod at half-time. Less than a minute after taking over from Kris Boyd, wee Nacho latched on to a Sasa Papac throw-in wide on the left flank before unleashing a blistering long-range volley into the opposition net. It was an effort good enough to win a cup final - and ultimately it proved to be the difference between the two closely-matched Clydesdale Bank Premier League sides. It was, though, perhaps no surprise that Novo, whose already considerable legend has now increased as a result of his double-winning heroics, was the man to produce the goods. He may not be as prolific as team-mate Kris Boyd, as statistics of just 61 goals in 205 games - he has made 120 starts and 85 replacements' appearances - would testify. Yet, throughout his time in Glasgow, the 30-year-old has netted numerous goals of massive significance to his employers. SportTimes trawled through our archives to come up with 10 of his best. Novo gave an early indication that he was a man for the big occasion in his debut season with Alex McLeish's side; he netted in the third Old Firm game of the season in a 2-0 victory for his team at Ibrox in the November of 2004. He was again on target against Martin O'Neill's men at Parkhead in February of 2005, in a game which kept alive Big Eck's hopes of wrestling the Scottish title from the grasp of their age-old city rivals. However, he saved the best for last that season. Novo netted the only goal of the game against Hibs at Easter Road in May 2005 on what has since gone down in Scottish football folklore as Helicopter Sunday. With the Hoops crashing to an unbelievable 2-1 defeat to Motherwell at Fir Park, his effort ensured the league flag was unfurled in Govan the following season. Just three games into that campaign Novo popped up again to send his team on their way to a vital 2-1 victory against Anorthosis Famagusta in Cyprus in a Champions League qualifier. His strike helped the Gers into the Champions League group stages - an achievement which was worth a massive �£10million to the Ibrox club. Novo clearly savours big European nights. In the 2006/07 season he hit the back of the net for Paul Le Guen's men in a memorable 3-2 victory over Serie A rivals Livorno in what was the first win by a Scottish team in Italy. He would go on to score against Auxerre, Maccabi Haifa and Hapoel Tel Aviv as Rangers, by then back under the stewardship of Smith, reached the last 16. Nacho could have been forgiven for asking for a pay rise the following year when he once again fired his team into the Champions League with the only goal of the game against Red Star Belgrade. That campaign against Europe's elite ended in a home defeat to Lyon which meant that Rangers dropped down to the Uefa Cup. It was, though, the best thing that could have happened to them. They went on an incredible glory run all the way to the final in Manchester - thanks, in no little part, to that man Novo. He banged in a vital away goal against Greek club Panathinaikos with seven minutes to go. After progressing to the last 16 thanks to his away goal, Rangers knocked out Werder Bremen and Sporting Lisbon. The semi-final with Fiorentina went to a penalty shoot-out. Surprise, surprise, Novo slotted home the decisive winner. This season Nacho has again played a key role in his team's double success, culminating in Saturday's cup final fireworks. A few Rangers players will move on during the summer. Nacho Novo, though, will not be one of them. NACHO'S GERS STATS ... Played 205. Starts 120. Subs 85. Goals 61. THE CASH NACHO NOVO'S crucial goals have helped raked in over �£25million to the Ibrox coffers since he arrived at Rangers almost five years ago. The little Spaniard has a knack of finding the net in crucial games - and Rangers have certainly had more than their money's worth. 04/05 League decider against Hibs - worth �£300,000 extra to Rangers as they end the season as Champions. 05/06 Champions League goal against Famagusta - helps Alex McLeish's side past the Cypriots to a �£10m group-stage booty. 07/08 Scores the only goal in two legs against Red Star - takes Walter Smith into the group stages and banks a further �£10m. 07/08 Rescues Rangers in Athens against Panathinaikos - secured home game against Bremen worth �£2m in gate receipts and TV monies. 07/08 Penalty kick winner against Fiorentina books Uefa Cup Final place in Manchester - banks an extra �£3m for Light Blues on their epic run. TOTAL ... �£25m 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norris Cole 0 Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 No doubt about it, he has been our big game player of the decade. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJBlue72 0 Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 He is the Ace up Walters sleeve and a Match Winner at every level. should get more games i reckon 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankie 8,218 Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 I love the wee man... 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super_Ally 0 Posted June 3, 2009 Author Share Posted June 3, 2009 I love the wee man... I'd been thinking about this for a while myself but thought there was no way I could accurately record all his major goals in terms of on field success and the enormous contribution he has made to the club's income. For example I wouldn't have known what the penalty in florence was worth financially. And it would be hard to ascertain the full benefit of the Helicopter Sunday goal in terms of league position, bonus and entry into the CL. So it is a great read from the ET for once. One playaer who has more than paid back his transfer fee and then some. Whatever people say about his deficiencies as a player, his contribution to the succesful and proud history of this club cannot be denied. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wija 0 Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 He loves the club, and especially hates the Dhims. He is an average player but he puts in 100% most of the time and I think he has the right attitude in games where we need something. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norris Cole 0 Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 And that list doesn't even take into account all his goals against the bheast. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gers4Life 0 Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 Rangers should pen the wee man in for life, he has had a great season! when the chips have been down novo has been our beacon of light and the wonder goal in the cup final sums it all up? A true blue for life. :spl: :spl: 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankie 8,218 Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 Whatever people say about his deficiencies as a player, his contribution to the succesful and proud history of this club cannot be denied. Sums it up perfectly... When the wee man does leave, I shudder to think where we'll get the same kind of hunger and spirit in games. For all his limitations, his sheer commitment means he's always a useful player to have and for opposition teams to worry about. When we talk about Rangers legends, Novo may not be a Cooper or a Laudrup but he's arguably been just as important over his 'Gers career. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gribz 743 Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 Its been a while since we had a good few players / idols. Since growing up ive had McCoist, Hateley, Gascoigne, Laudrup, Albertz to idolise then most recent we had De Boer and Prso. But Novo is certainly a current favourite of mine and he is pretty much what Rangers is all about. Id have him starting most games. I know people say he is a better impact player coming off the bench, and they are right as once the game has died a bit he comes on and his tempo lifts the game again, but I still dont buy the fact a impact player has to start on the bench. Fingers crossed he is with us for another few seasons yet 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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