GIGGS ON RANGERS
“The Rangers players will be desperate to get one over the
champions of England. The Scottish Premier League is often
subject to criticism, unfairly in my opinion, and there's no
better way for Rangers to silence the critics than by
putting one over on us.
champions of England. The Scottish Premier League is often
subject to criticism, unfairly in my opinion, and there's no
better way for Rangers to silence the critics than by
putting one over on us.
“It's rare for a month to go by in England without a debate
about the relative strengths of the English and Scottish
leagues. There is frequent talk about Rangers and Celtic
joining the Premiership and everyone has an opinion about
how they would get on in England.
about the relative strengths of the English and Scottish
leagues. There is frequent talk about Rangers and Celtic
joining the Premiership and everyone has an opinion about
how they would get on in England.
“I'm not going to get involved in the politics of the
debate, but I do feel people don't give Scottish sides
enough credit. The last time I remember Rangers in European
action against an English team was when they beat Leeds 4-2
on aggregate in the Champions League in 1992 - a campaign
they went through undefeated.
debate, but I do feel people don't give Scottish sides
enough credit. The last time I remember Rangers in European
action against an English team was when they beat Leeds 4-2
on aggregate in the Champions League in 1992 - a campaign
they went through undefeated.
“Then Celtic beat Blackburn and Liverpool on the way to the
UEFA Cup final last season, so to argue that English teams
are superior doesn't really wash. Maybe we have a slight
advantage because we have more Champions League experience
than Rangers in recent seasons, but for me that's not going
to be decisive.
UEFA Cup final last season, so to argue that English teams
are superior doesn't really wash. Maybe we have a slight
advantage because we have more Champions League experience
than Rangers in recent seasons, but for me that's not going
to be decisive.
“Rangers are hardly European novices themselves and they
know exactly how to make the most of the fantastic support
they get from their fans at home. To be honest, I think our
two games with Rangers will be unlike normal Champions
League matches because of the history, tradition and
national pride at stake.
know exactly how to make the most of the fantastic support
they get from their fans at home. To be honest, I think our
two games with Rangers will be unlike normal Champions
League matches because of the history, tradition and
national pride at stake.
“If anything, they will be like two separate cup finals with
both sides dispensing with some of the early tactical
exchanges to really go for it. I think the Leeds game was
the ideal preparation for our trip to Ibrox.
both sides dispensing with some of the early tactical
exchanges to really go for it. I think the Leeds game was
the ideal preparation for our trip to Ibrox.
“Elland Road is always an intense, noisy and sometimes
hostile venue, especially if you're playing for United, and
I'm sure Ibrox will offer more of the same again. As a
professional, it is your job to learn to cope with this kind
of intimidating atmosphere - but the truth is some grounds
will always be harder to go to and perform than others.
Foremost in our minds, though, will be getting three
important points, which are even more vital to us after our
defeat against Stuttgart.”
hostile venue, especially if you're playing for United, and
I'm sure Ibrox will offer more of the same again. As a
professional, it is your job to learn to cope with this kind
of intimidating atmosphere - but the truth is some grounds
will always be harder to go to and perform than others.
Foremost in our minds, though, will be getting three
important points, which are even more vital to us after our
defeat against Stuttgart.”