Rangers step into the unknownWalter Smith has admitted Rangers face a step into the unknown when they host Red Star Belgrade in the first leg of their Champions League third qualifying stage tie tonight (kick-off 8pm), and not just because the famous club is now called Crvena Zvezda.
The manager's plans have been disrupted by the Serbian club's decision to sack his counterpart, Bosko Djurovski, last Friday. Djurovski's replacement, Milorad Kosanovic, took charge for the following day's scoreless draw against Cukaricki, leaving Smith now unsure over what to expect from Crvena at Ibrox.
"We will really need to have a guess at the formation they are going to use because of their change of coach," Smith conceded. "We don't have an indication of how they will play, although we have been able to see their players as individuals."
Smith may be without full back Sasa Papac, who injured his ankle at the weekend, with Kirk Broadfoot on hand to deputise. The manager faces a decision, too, over whether to persist with the misfiring Kris Boyd in attack.
RANGERS(probable 4-2-3-1): McGregor; Hutton, Weir, Cuellar, Broadfoot; Hemdani, Thomson; Beasley, Ferguson, McCulloch; Boyd. Subs: Carroll, Murray, Webster, Adam, Sebo, Cousin, Darcheville.
CRVENA ZVEZDA(probable 4-5-1): Randelovic; Lucas, Gueye, Castillo, Andelkovic; Milovanovic, Basta, Tutoric, Burzanovic, Koroman; Barcos. Subs: Trajkovic, Milijas, Bronowicki, Banovic, Uribe, Bajalica, Dordevic.
Referee: M Hansson(Sweden).
Hughes puts Ireland into last four
Sonya Hughes's goal on 19 minutes was enough to put the Ireland women's side into the semi-finals at the World University Games in Bangkok yesterday. Noel King's side now play Russia, who overcame Britain 1-0 in their quarter-final.
The Irish men's side at the Games in Bangkok were beaten 1-0 by Morocco to edge them out of the play-off game for places ninth to 16th.
Everton close in on Fernandes
Everton last night appeared to move a step closer to landing midfielder Manuel Fernandes, who spent the second part of last season on loan at Goodison. Benfica only own 50 per cent of the international, while Everton - if they could negotiate a deal - would want to buy the player outright with no strings of the kind MSI had with West Ham over Carlos Tevez.
But the Portuguese club claim a formal offer has been made in a statement which read: "We have received an offer from Everton to acquire 50 per cent of Manuel Fernandes' rights. We are analysing Everton's offer."
The sticking point appears to be the price. Everton would consider 12 million, but the Portuguese club have stated that they want 16 million for the player.
In brief . . .
AC Milancoach Carlo Ancelotti said the European champions are "waiting with open arms" when asked about Spanish media reports that Barcelona have agreed to give his club first refusal on Ronaldinhoif they decide to sell the Brazilian next season . . . Falkirk defender Darren Barrhas confessed to the foul on Celtic striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink on Saturday which ended with team-mate Kenny Milne being controversially sent off . . . Boltonstriker Kevin Daviescould be out for up to six weeks after tearing a hamstring .
