Prso defends Rangers' absentees

Former Ibrox striker reveals admiration for Boyd as he empathises with former club's punishing schedule

ALTHOUGH he described the present Rangers team as like a machine, former Ibrox striker Dado Prso has warned that the club's players cannot be treated as though they are indestructible.

Prso is back in town for tonight's friendly international between Scotland and Croatia and also this weekend's critical Old Firm clash at Ibrox, to be televised live on Setanta. His visit coincides with the controversial decision by Rangers to withdraw four players from the Scotland squad on Monday. But, with Rangers having clocked up game number 50 for the season against Hibs on Saturday, Prso rejected those who questioned the validity of the injuries after a strenuous campaign during which Walter Smith's side have proved effective on both domestic and European fronts.

Prso watched the 2-1 win over Hibs from the Ibrox main stand and was impressed, if not entertained, by what he saw from an efficient and hard-working side. "They might not attack very much but they don't concede," he said of Rangers. "It is hard to score against them. It was like watching a machine against Hibs."

While this may be so, Prso has defended the club's right to withdraw players from the Scotland squad. Barry Ferguson, Christian Dailly, Lee McCulloch and Allan McGregor have all been declared unfit due to a combination of ankle, toe, thigh and knee complaints. Prso empathised with their plight and his own experiences perhaps show how damaging it can be when a player is pushed too hard.

Prso retired last year at just 33 due to knee problems which dogged the latter part of his career. Although he still looks fit enough to lead the Rangers attack on Saturday he stressed yesterday it was simply not possible for him to play on, however much he wanted to. When someone's health is at stake Prso said he had nothing but respect for Rangers' decision, made in the face of flak from those who suspect it is born entirely from self-interest.

"Why continue to suffer?" he asked. "Why not have a rest? I can understand why some players need to have a rest after a run like this. There are a lot of games. I spoke to Barry Ferguson and he says they have already had to play 50 games. That is really a massive ask for any player.

"We are not machines," he continued. "It is impossible to perform at your best when you are playing a game every three days. I know everybody always wants to see them at their best but, even if you have a rest and are very professional, it's very hard."

Kris Boyd is the one Ibrox player in line to feature against Prso's countrymen tonight, and his former strike partner extolled the free-scoring player's virtues. Prso appreciates Boyd is not to everyone's liking but as a former striker himself is aware that few qualities are more precious on a football pitch than goal-scoring instinct. "Boyd scores goals in the box and you can always be confident of that," he said. "He is like (David] Trezeguet. Maybe he needs to improve his game – running more, defending and tactically.

"But he has something the others don't have. I had a nice partnership with him. Sometimes you forget why he is good. Everyone needs to improve, perhaps, but never forget what you are best at in the first place.

"I don't know how many games he has played this season," continued Prso. "But I know the important goals he has scored, such as in the (CIS] cup. He showed what he can do then. When nobody else was there he was there to take the chances. He has not been at Ibrox long. He is young and can improve. I told him when I was playing with him: 'never leave Rangers'."

While Boyd may start tonight for Scotland there is a strong chance he will be left on the bench for Rangers this weekend, with Smith likely to prefer Jean-Claude Darcheville. Prso has been impressed with the French striker as well, although he accepts he is very different to Boyd.

"Darcheville is a strong player," said Prso. "He can score but he is not a striker like Boyd. He is a striker who can provoke, and set up goals. But it is difficult for him to play as a No 9 striker. When I saw him in France it is a different role he plays. Here it is much more physical. Players are around you all the time. You need time (to adjust]."

Prso would not be drawn on his prediction for Saturday's game, or tonight's friendly at Hampden. As far as the league title chase is concerned, he knows anything can happen. Prso warned Rangers against slackening off even should they win on Saturday, something many contend would form a knock-out blow for Celtic. The Croat was among those Rangers players who benefited from Celtic's late collapse at Motherwell on the final day of the 2004-05 season. Celtic lost two late goals to Scott McDonald and allowed Rangers to steal the title after the Ibrox side won 1-0 against Hibs.

"I know that if Rangers win they don't want to relax," said Prso. "I remember (in 2005] Celtic won at Ibrox and then everyone was down. Then Hibs won at Celtic and we saw that if we won at Aberdeen we were again closer to them. It can change very quickly. I would lie if I said I thought we would win the title (that year]. Somewhere in our heads we thought 'maybe' because in sport you never know.

"Alex McLeish said that if we didn't win our final game and something happened (at Fir Park] then we would regret it all our life. I had not known anything like it in my career. We heard our fans screaming. Motherwell had scored! And then another scream. It is the best memory in my career."

• The Scottish Premier League has lined up an experienced team of officials to take charge of the Old Firm clash between Rangers and Celtic on Saturday.

Stuart Dougal will be the referee, Craig Thomson, who has built a reputation this season with Uefa and Fifa, will be the fourth official, while former top referee Douglas Hope will be the referee observer and former SFA securities chief Willie McDougall will be the SPL match delegate.

TARTAN ARMY URGED TO SHOW SUPPORT
SCOTLAND fans are being invited to leave their pictures and messages of support for the team ahead of the World Cup qualifiers on a website launched by Tennent's.

The national team sponsors have launched the 'Show Your Support' campaign to demonstrate the country's backing for George Burley's men, and all messages posted will be delivered to the squad before the first qualifier in Macedonia on 6 September.

Fans who contribute to the website www.tennents.com/football will become eligible for competitions which offer as prizes a trip to the Macedonia match, tickets for Scotland v Norway, and signed Scotland merchandise.