ian1964 10,720 Posted September 13, 2009 Share Posted September 13, 2009 SPORT BILD, the weekly German newspaper, had Pavel Pogrebynak under surveillance from the moment he touched down in Stuttgart airport. With a breathless enthusiasm, Bild's man on the ground tracked the Russian striker's every move on the day he signed for his new club, filing updates to the website, informing readers that Pogrebynak had arrived in the country just after 11am on 2 Au ADVERTISEMENT gust with nothing more than a Louis Vuitton wash-bag, whereupon he was met by Ralph Herkommer, a team liaison man. Apparently, the Russian was looking fit and well. He smiled at reporters and for the cameras, but didn't stop to chat. Pogrebynak arrived at Stuttgart's training centre at precisely 1pm where he was met by... well, who cares who met him, frankly? The point is that the capture of this rangy Russian, 6ft 2in and 25 years old, was a very big deal in Stuttgart. It was akin to a royal dignitary arriving in town rather than a footballer. The search for a replacement for the God-like Mario Gomez became an epic story of the German summer. Gomez, a goals machine in the Bundesliga, left Stuttgart for Bayern Munich for ?30 million, so money for a successor wasn't exactly in short supply. The list of names stretched out in front of the manager, Markus Babbel. Initially, he made a play for Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, but got annoyed at the player's dilly-dallying and pulled the plug on talks. He was also keeping tabs on the Brazilian, Vagner Love, and the highly- regarded Spaniard, Alvaro Negredo. But Pogrebynak trumped the pair of them. He is a man of many goals and many nicknames. He once posed in army combats and was dubbed the Russian Rocket. His running style, though quick, is a little wooden, so some took to calling him Pinocchio. The one that has stuck, though, is Pasha, an affectionate name given to him by his wife, Maria, who was also his childhood sweetheart. That was another thing that Sports Bild picked up on. They published his family photograph album online, from him and Maria goofing around as kids, to them walking up the aisle on their wedding day. They are Stuttgart's most wholesome couple. A bit like Allan McGregor and Leah Shevlin ââ?¬â?? only without the love rat allegations. And the loud parties. And the angry neighbours. And the vandalised motor... Stuttgart paid between ?5-?6m for Pogrebynak and they reckon they got a bargain. You can see their point. This is the guy, after all, who scored 11 goals in Zenit St Petersburg's path to the 2008 UEFA Cup final, who scored twice against Villarreal in the round of 32, who scored another couple in the last-16 tie with Marseille, who scored once in the quarter-final with Bayer Leverkusen and twice in the semi-final against Bayern Munich. The pity for him ââ?¬â?? and the mercy for Rangers ââ?¬â?? was that he was suspended for the final. But by then, everybody knew who he was anyway. Especially in Germany. He was the two-footed Bayern killer. A striker with a thunderbolt for a shot. His range of goals for Zenit was excellent, from 35 yards to 35 inches. He looked the complete striker and seemed destined for England or Spain. The huge transfer never happened ââ?¬â?? partly because of injury. Pogrebynak was due to lead the line for Russia in Euro 2008 but suffered damage to his knee shortly before the beginning of the tournament. His recovery developed into a soap opera. Guus Hiddink, the Russia manager, was desperate for him to play and said he was prepared to start him even if he wasn't fit. Pogrebynak resisted the pressure and left the squad. Roman Pavlyuchenko filled the role instead and he was the one who got the big move in the end ââ?¬â?? to Spurs. "If it wasn't for that injury, there is no way we would have been able to afford him," says Oliver Schraft, the media manager for Stuttgart. "Because of the injury, he was maybe not quite as effective the following season and clubs moved on to other targets. I know Arsenal were interested in him at one point. He was coming to the end of his contract at Zenit, so that was another reason why we got him for a very reasonable price. Nobody can replace Gomez, but Pasha is a very exciting player with a fantastic pedigree." There's no denying that ââ?¬â?? and there's no need to tell Walter Smith about him either. He knows his danger. He could probably trot out the stats if you asked him. Pogrebynak scored 23 goals in 45 starts for Zenit, winning a Russian League, a UEFA Cup and a Super Cup. Zenit beat Manchester United in the final. Pogrebynak scored the opening goal. He hasn't quite scorched the ground in the Bundesliga so far, scoring just once in his first three starts. But he's looking good, it seems. Looking sharper by the week. Rangers are going to have their hands full with this one. http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/sport/Russian-Rocket-ready-to-justify.5642342.jp 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fraser54 0 Posted September 13, 2009 Share Posted September 13, 2009 He may as well jump into Davie's back pocket this now ! This is the games we really look forward to, bring it on ! 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super_Ally 0 Posted September 13, 2009 Share Posted September 13, 2009 Nothing like a story bumming up our opposition in the Scottish press just before our Champions League opener. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zappa 0 Posted September 13, 2009 Share Posted September 13, 2009 Nothing like a story bumming up our opposition in the Scottish press just before our Champions League opener. Great player to be fair though. Was pleased at the time that he wasn't playing in the UEFA Cup final. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whosthedado 1,680 Posted September 13, 2009 Share Posted September 13, 2009 Nothing like a story bumming up our opposition in the Scottish press just before our Champions League opener. Thats the Scottish Mhedia for you Still hurting that we are the Scottish team in it :box::spl: 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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