RICHARD Gough could throw his boots to the back of a cupboard today
and live the rest of his life in the warm glow of satisfaction that
would come with knowing he has operated at the top of his profession and
left an impression.
The central defender has had an illustrious career as captain of both
Rangers and Scotland and has a chest full of winner's baubles to show
his new son, Andrew.
However, the badges of honour already in his possession are not
enough. Gough wants more, and set off yesterday on perhaps the most
important mission of his time in football.
The captain and his team-mates arrived in Greece in the evening
knowing that their European Cup preliminary tie against AEK Athens is
the most crucial match Rangers have faced in the past 10 years.
They felt the warmth of the Mediterranean sun on their faces, and had
to wend their way through carefree holidaymakers en route to their
hotel.
But they dare not allow their minds to stray from business.
It is essential Rangers reach the Champions' League stages of the
competition because of the finance and prestige which comes with entry
to those elite groups. And the significance is not lost on Gough, who
struggles to recall a more crucial tie in any of his eight years at
Ibrox where thinking has gone beyond the domestic scene.
Rangers' chairman, David Murray, says he always budgets for the
Doomsday scenario, which would see his team lose in the first round of
every competition with business continuing normally, but the fact is
that the club's ambitions would be damaged severely by another early
exit from Europe.
Apart from the money and credibility of competing regularly in Europe,
the learning experience of playing against the best for as long as
possible this season would help Rangers to achieve their ambitions more
quickly.
The manager, Walter Smith, tries to shelter his players from off-field
pressures, but this time everyone is acutely aware of how much the two
games against AEK mean.
Gough said: ''We have made great strides in recent years, and the
signings of Brian Laudrup and Basile Boli show how much the chairman and
manager want to achieve.
''Also, time is running out for many of us at Ibrox, and who knows how
many more chances to play in European Cups are ahead of us. From that
point of view alone, this tie is important and I want to play at this
level as many more times as possible. I also want to keep winning titles
until my career finishes.''
Often Gough has been accused of being detached, perhaps even aloof in
a game based on passion and feeling, but the 32-year-old central
defender, one of seven Rangers players 30 or over, retains the
enthusiasm of a much younger man and has been further invigorated by the
arrivals of Laudrup and Boli.
''I feel much more excited this time than I did at the start of last
season, which was a bit flat,'' he said.
Last season Rangers spent most of their money on Duncan Ferguson, who
has been hampered by injuries and off-field controversies, and Gough
admits the prospect of playing with Laudrup and Boli in the side is a
mouth-watering one. Boli can't help against AEK because of suspension,
but much is expected of Laudrup.
''He has settled in well and quickly and if we can get the ball to him
on Wednesday night I'm sure he will be able to keep it and that will
offer us a valuable out. However, the Greeks will probably single Brian
out for special attention.''
Between them Smith and his assistant Archie Knox have watched the
Greeks four times and they have been impressed. In fact, they have told
the players AEK are a better side than Sofia or Sparta Prague and that
the midfield players are creative.
They would be happy to see Rangers try to defend, but Smith will not
allow that to happen and will be insisting that the Greek side's defence
also be put under serious pressure.
He has not seen the opposition defending for prolonged spells because
AEK played against inferior sides when he or Knox spied, but if Rangers
strike the kind of form which helped them progress to the brink of the
European Cup final two years ago they should make it to the Champions
League.
Rangers expect a hostile reception in the 34,000 capacity Nikos Goumas
stadium, but that shouldn't bother them much at all. ''A hostile
environment won't be anything new for us,'' said Smith, who has taken 22
players with him to Athens.
''The ones I feel are most ready will play,'' he added.
The AEK Athens coach, Dusan Bajevic, has watched Rangers three times
and has been impressed with the strike force, although he feels the
defence can be exploited.
Bajevic is of the opinion the Ibrox defence are not quite together
and, therefore, could be vulnerable, but Gough has pointed out that the
Rangers' challenge two years ago was based on their defending,
especially in the away matches.
* European challenge for Motherwell; how Celtic fared against
Blackburn Rovers -- reports on Page 21.
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