RANGERS, like Old Firm rivals Celtic, are ready to plunder the
value-for-money Dutch transfer market as they bid to strengthen their
squad for next season's assault on Europe.
Walter Smith, who watched his side go down 2-0 to Roy Aitken's
revitalised Aberdeen at Pittodrie yesterday, has earmarked Rob Mackaay,
the teenage star of Vitesse Arnhem and a protege of former Dutch star
Franz Thijssen.
Mackaay will not be 20 until next month, but already he is tipped for
full international honours with Holland. Thijssen, whose skills graced
the English first division, has personally coached the youngster since
he joined Vitesse from Nijmegen two years ago.
The man who is now a member of the backroom staff with the Arnhem club
admits: ''His talents are amazing. He has played for the Olympic team
already and it is only a matter of time before he moves into the full
national side.''
Arnhem know of Rangers' interest and are ready to slap a #2m price tag
on the forward. I understand the Scottish champions have watched the
player several times this season with assistant manager Archie Knox and
coach Billy Kirkwood both making hush-hush visits to Holland.
Mackaay can play in any of the front positions but his performances
wide on the right have impressed the Ibrox spies.
A source in Holland explained to me last night: ''Initially, it was
thought Rangers were watching Glen Helder, who may be signing for
Arsenal. Then we realised that Mackaay was their target.
''He is a very direct player, and the work Franz Thijssen has put in
on his coaching is now paying off. Rangers have seen this early and they
are first in line to buy the player.''
Rangers manager Walter Smith has Jesper Blomquist of Gothenburg
already in his sights, but now Mackaay has joined the Swede on the
Rangers' shopping list.
Celtic, of course, have already signed giant striker Pierre van
Hooydonk from Holland, and manager Tommy Burns has claimed that the fees
there are much more realistic than, for instance, England.
However, though Swedish captain Jonas Thern insists that he wants to
play his football at Ibrox next season, he will not be in Glasgow for
signing talks this week.
Meanwhile, Aberdeen's caretaker manager Aitken immediately set his
players fresh targets following their defeat of the champions.
For Aitken, ever-demanding as a player, is clearly going to carry that
trait into his management career.
Last night he was clearly happy to get the victory, but happier still
to move up two places in the Premier League.
Now he wants his team to continue a surge up the table and away from
the relegation threat which brought Willie Miller the sack.
After the match he pointed out: ''We jumped two places in the league
with this win.
''But it is more important for us to look at the other places which
could be jumped in the coming weeks!''
He added: ''It would be nit-picking to talk about penalty decisions.
We deserved to win.
''I told the players before the game that if they gave me their best
then that would be enough to win the match. They have proved in the past
that they are a good side. Now we have to continue to make progress.''
Disappointed Rangers manager Smith revealed: ''Trevor Steven was
injured in training on Saturday morning. He has a hip injury and it
would have been impossible for him to play at Pittodrie. We hope to have
him back for the Cup game against Hearts.
''We have no complaints about the result though I would say the
penalty turned the game.''
The demonstrations which some Aberdeen fans had threatened came to
nothing. At the end there were some chants of Willie Miller's name but
the victory really took any heat out of protests which might have been
aimed at the chairman Ian Donald.
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