Sidebar

29
Fri, Mar
28 New Articles

Typography
MARVIN ANDREWS hopes Rangers can shape themselves into one real mean defence machine for the second half of the season.


The Trinidad and Tobago stopper has helped the Ibrox side get through their last three games without the ball finding the back of Ronald Waterreus's net.

You'd have to go back as far as October to find the last time Alex McLeish's men managed a similar feat, when Dundee United, Artmedia Bratislava and Motherwell all failed to find the net against the Light Blues.

Ironically, it was Livingston, this weekend's opponents, who ended that impressive form.

Since that blip, and the current shut-out run, Big Eck's men have managed only a couple of clean sheets.

So far this season, in only 10 of their 33 games in all competitions have the Ibrox side not conceded a goal - the major reason why they trail Old Firm rivals Celtic by 17 points.

While scoring goals was also a problem at one stage, that no longer seems to be the case with the wonderful striking form of Peter Lovenkrands, plus the options McLeish now has in Dado Prso, Nacho Novo, Thomas Buffel and Kris Boyd.

And now Andrews hopes Rangers can continue to make it difficult for teams to find a way past them.

He said: "I thought Ronald pulled off some great saves against Motherwell on Sunday.

"But we've managed to not concede a goal in our last three games - and have won them all.

"I think we are starting to find our scoring touch again, so if keeping it tight at the back we should reap the rewards between now and the end of the season.

"We are only one point behind Hibs and, as regards to the teams above us, anything can happen."

Andrews also singled out Rangers goal hero Lovenkrands for special praise after his recent scoring exploits.

He said: "I'm delighted for Peter - he is now back to his best and hitting the net.

"It has been difficult for him because he has received a lot of stick but, to his credit, has held his head high and fought through the tough times, which says a lot about him as a person.

"He is now scoring consistently and I'm very proud of him. Hopefully he can keep it going until the end of the season as he is a big player for Rangers."

While Andrews is determined to help the Ibrox men enjoy a successful season, it's the summer that should be the highlight of his career.

That's when he'll represent Trinidad and Tobago at the World Cup Finals in Germany and it can't come quick enough for the gentle giant.

He explained: "Although I'm concentrating on my football with Rangers between now and the end of the season, of course I am looking forward to summer and the World Cup Finals.

"It's a dream I've had for over 16 years and it is about to come true in the summer in Germany. Everyone from our country is looking forward to the opening game against Sweden and it will be a great occasion.

"People are already asking me about possibly playing against Henrik Larsson. And there is also England, who have great players like Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney in attack.

"And we also have Paraguay in our group, so there is just so much for me to look forward to in the summer.

"However, at Rangers, we are in the last 16 of the Champions League and have two huge games against Villarreal to look forward to - and we're still in the Scottish Cup. So if we can go on a good run in the league then we could enjoy a good season."