Amo can’t wait for return to his ‘home’

LORENZO AMORUSO will be coming home when he returns to Ibrox for the Legends game.

It’s hard to believe that the Italian’s last match for Rangers came in 2003 when it was his goal which won the Scottish Cup Final against Dundee – and secured a Treble for Alex McLeish’s side.

Now 46, the former captain is sure to be given a huge reception by the crowd who have not forgotten all he gave for the club during his years in Glasgow.

Amoruso was a fantastic defender. And he certainly made life more interesting when he was around.

Speaking to the Rangers website about the March 24 game, he said: “I am looking forward to seeing some friends, people that I fought with for the title.

“It’s something that’s always nice because it brings memories back of all the battles on the pitch that we had at Rangers. I think we had a great friendship as well, that is something that will always be forever.

“We won trophies together. It was great having that attitude in the dressing room, sharing all the emotion. After so many years it’s nice to remember all of that. In Glasgow recently I met Arthur Numan, Barry Ferguson and Michael Mols, so it’s fantastic. It’s great to talk about what we gave to the fans and what the fans gave to us.”

It may be 15 years since he left the club, but Rangers have never left him. He said: “Ibrox is like my second house, honestly. It is a fantastic feeling when you get in Ibrox any time you go and play for a match.

“To put your foot inside Ibrox is something really special. We know the meaning of it to be there and to be part of the history of a fantastic club.

“Walking, running, jumping, kicking – you feel there is something unique. That’s why everybody likes it. It’s always been nice to play even if sometimes we were not 100 per cent, we didn’t perform always like we wanted because that is part of life, the football. But the supporters have always been something special.

“The memories of Ibrox and of Rangers – they are absolutely unbelievable.”

LEE McCULLOCH is not one for looking on the down side – even when his old team have now given up their faint hopes of a late title challenge.

The former Rangers captain knows his former club is far from where they want to be but, in his eyes, at least they are getting there – slowly but surely. However, big Jig has a good feeling about this Rangers side.

McCulloch, who played 303 games and scored 70 goals in his eight seasons at Ibrox, could see some positivity from Sunday’s defeat to Celtic, and also from what he has seen over the past two months when Rangers’ form did improve.

It’s what makes him think the good times might, at long last, be coming back.

McCulloch said: “It was great to see the Rangers fans create such a good atmosphere. It looked really hostile and that’s good. After half an hour, Celtic did come into it a lot more after what was a good start by Rangers.

“I am not so sure Celtic’s players are so much better than Rangers. For me, the timing of Celtic’s second goal more than anything affected the Rangers players. It was right on halftime, made it 2-2 and the moment the ball went in the net I thought, ‘Oh, no... here we go.’

“These goals do change games. Celtic went into the break on a high, whereas the Rangers players would have felt down. Honestly, goals like that have a huge effect. You can even feel it in the stands.

“I just think the best is yet to come from this Rangers team.

“The British players coming in have helped. They know what it’s about. It’s a wee bit similar to what Walter Smith did in 2007 when he brought in Steven Whittaker, Steven Naismith and myself. They knew at least how much this club means to the fans. Rangers are slowly on the right road.

“I think it has to be a busy summer for the board, Graeme and Mark Allen [director of football] because I would imagine there will be players going out.

“And, of course, I think they have the players to beat Celtic in the semi-final.”

That’s a whole l oad of positivity right there for any Rangers supporter feeling down in the dumps after the Old Firm game.

As McCulloch says elsewhere, Rangers under Graeme Murty have improved – the league table bears that out – although you could argue that is more to do with Celtic’s failing to pick up the points they did last season. What the club do need, and this is not arguable, is more money.

That would allow the club to attract better players and those already there who are good enough to take Rangers forward, and there are more than few, would be tempted to stay if other offers come in.

A way to bring in more income is the Europa League, which might not have the rich- es of its big cousin, but the group stage could make as much as £10m for the club.

THE problem, as if there’s just one, is that eight games, four ties, will have to be overcome for Rangers to get there. And that is no gimme. The first qualifier is on July 12. That will be here before anyone knows it.

McCulloch said: “That’s too much football. We used to go on pre-season around about that time.

“Graeme will be need to change the squad and get them ready for that first game, but that’s the life of a manager these days, I’m afraid.

“There was one summer we had three weeks off and Walter had hardly any time to get players in and out.

“So it’s not easy, but you need to get on with it. I would imagine they would be already preparing for the first qualifier now.”

McCulloch was at Ibrox to help promote the upcoming Legends game. The Rangers Charity Foundation and the Rangers Youth Development Company will share the proceeds from a match which should if nothing else be an enjoyable occasion.

McCulloch said: “I am looking forward to getting the boots on again, getting on that pitch and seeing some of the former players and managers. I think it could be a better night out afterwards!

“There are a few fatties and a few fitties. Alex Rae and Barry Ferguson will be in good nick. It will be interesting to see some of the rest.

“Coisty [club legend Ally McCoist] will score. That’s a certainty. If there’s a penalty, he’ll be on it.

“It’s been ages since so many of us have been together. There are some I won’t have seen for a long time.

“I have been in contact with a lot of the boys but we haven’t met face-to-face for some time.

It has to be a busy summer for the board, Graeme Murty and Mark Allen