Russian city was so dodgy,Tehran was better for a night out
THE probability of Aberdeen having to play Shymkent Ordabasy of Kazakhstan in a Europa League qualifier again raises the question of why teams from outwith Europe are permitted entry.
Kazakhstan is officially in Asia, with the city of Shymkent close to the border with China, making it an 8500-mile round trip for the Dons. Aberdeen is, in fact, closer to New York!
Europe is made up of 50 countries, yet UEFA has members from 55 states. That’s football and politics for you.
If Ordabasy defeat Siroki Brijeg from BosniaHerzegovina as is expected, the Dons face an horrendous trip.
At least they know what to expect, having played another Kazakhstan team, Kairat, two years ago. It could also be worse. There isn’t a war raging nearby. It’s 21 years since I travelled with Rangers to the Northern Ossetia city of Vladikavkaz – again in Asia – for a Champions League qualifier.
Alania Vladikavkaz had just broken the Moscow monopoly of teams winning the Russian championship.
However, Northern Ossetia borders the Chechen Republic, which was at war with Russia. The UK Government did not recommend travelling, but UEFA insisted the game be played.
Visas and vaccinations were required, even though Rangers would only spend 24 hours in Vladikavkaz.
They hired a private jet and spent the first night in Vienna.
Although team and press stayed in the finest hotel in Vladikavkaz, it certainly wasn’t the Ritz. Both groups took their own food.
The noise of gunfire across the border kept us awake all night, not that many went to bed.
The hotel was full of strange insects, so most lay fullydressed on top of their beds.
I asked our translator if he ever went to Moscow to escape. However, the Iranian capital, Tehran, was nearer and better for a night out at that time, he said.
Rangers held a 3-1 lead from the first leg, thankful the Russians missed a last-minute penalty at Ibrox. So Alania really fancied their chances.
However, Walter Smith’s side produced the finest performance I have ever witnessed from a Scottish team abroad, winning 7-2, to make it 10-3 on aggregate.
The Vladikavkaz fans were so impressed they broke into a chant of “Glasgow, Glasgow” after Ally McCoist completed his hat-trick.
There was no time to celebrate after the game, however. It was straight to the airport to fly home with a stop-over in Warsaw to refuel.
There is one good omen for Aberdeen. Derek McInnes played in both legs for the Gers, scoring a rare goal in the home tie.