sporting game

[Gribz 847]

No. ITV as has already been said.

 

Just asking seen as I dont have a clue whats on the BBC

[calscot 0]

Is it different commentaries on STV and ITV4? It's nice to have a choice. Couldn't stand the English CL commentator who was always so negative for Rangers, and seemed partisan for the other side.

[ian1964 10,720]

WALTER SMITH is ready to make sliight alterations to his Euro set up tomorrow night as he chases the win he wants against Sporting in his quest to take Rangers to the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup.

 

The boss has hinted that he will make some tactical changes to his game plan for the Sporting match as he believes he needs to be more proactive.

 

He said: "I don't think we could have played a more difficult team than Werder Bremen in the last round where we worked extremely hard by nullifying a lot of their strengths.

 

"We would hope we would be able to go and cause Sporting more problems than we did against Bremen.

 

"The knockout matches have gone well for us and it has not just been about defending when we go away from home.

 

"We played very well in the second half against Panathinaikos, for example, when we had most of the game and pushed forward.

 

"We have a way of playing this year which has been successful so far but we know we have to change some tactics to try and cause Sporting a problem or two."

[juffery 0]

Is Wattie going gung-ho? I know most folk have moaned about the negative formation and tactics, especially at home but is now the time to be changing things?

[scooter657 0]

If he goes attacking and we dont win, can you imagine the uproar? Everyone will question him changing the succesful 4-5-1.

[calscot 0]

I can't see Walter telling the opposition his plans, so it's all there just to keep them second guessing .

 

I think the formation will be 4-2-3-1 but the players will be given licence to go forward in numbers. I think they did that at home against Bremen at home, but obviously had their licences revoked in the away game.

 

Davis, Ferguson and McCulloch can all be very attacking so it's not going to be the most defensive team in the world despite Darche up front on his own.

[ian1964 10,720]

BRAHIM HEMDANI reckons team spirit and the will to win can be the difference for Rangers when they meet Sporting tonight in the first leg of the UEFA Cup quarter-finals.

 

The French-Algerian midfielder is liable to be a key man in his familiar anchor role against the Portuguese - as he has been for most of this campaign.

 

Brahim HemdaniHe relishes these occasions and he feels that the togetherness of this Rangers squad can be vital.

 

He said: "One of the key elements is that we are all working for each other. The spirit has changed and it is not like the last two seasons.

 

"The atmosphere is very good. Everyone is smiling and that has helped us go forward.

 

"I'm not surprised that we are in the quarter-finals because when you come to such a club as Rangers you know you will face all challenges.

 

"This year is obviously a good year for us. We have already won one trophy and we still have three to play for.

 

"It is an enjoyable situation to be in."

 

Hemdani, of course, went all the way to the final in 2004 when he was skipper of Marseille, and while he would love to get back to that stage he is not getting ahead of himself.

 

He said: "It's too early to say that we can win it. We can only focus on this game. When you reach this stage every team has quality.

 

"We were not the favourites when the Champions League draw put us in a group with Barcelona, Stuttgart and Lyon.

 

"We had a massive task in front of us but we did well and now we are hoping to continue our run in the UEFA Cup."