Rangers legend prays for cash to rein in Celts
has to be the target,’ said the ex-Scotland midfielder. ‘It’s got to be. That’s what football is about up here, that rivalry, so it has to be the aim for Rangers. ‘We can talk about youth structures and progression, which you’ve got to do. But if Rangers are to stop Celtic before they get nine — or ten titles — there will have to be a huge financial input. That’s obvious. It’s a massive worry. No, I don’t think about it all — just every waking minute of my life! Seriously, you’re getting to the stage where it will be talked about. ‘Going back to when we did Nine-in-a-Row, when we got to five and six, Rangers fans started singing songs — just like Celtic fans are singing now, about nine and even ten. Each season, it will build and build. Everyone will be aware of it. ‘I’m just hoping they’ve got a war chest somewhere, building and building, so they can go and buy Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to stop Celtic! ‘All kidding aside, it’s natural that, if you are a Rangersminded person, you should fear Celtic getting there. If you’re Celtic-minded, that’s the dream for you, isn’t it? To go and smash it.’ Toral is expected to bolster the Rangers midfield when he arrives on loan from Arsenal, via a wasted loan spell with Granada in Spain, where the 21-year-old made just five appearances. Fellow midfielder Hyndman, 20, has been allowed to go out on loan from Bournemouth — and arrives with the praise of two legendary Germans as evidence of his potential. Felix Magath likened him to Andrea Pirlo, while Jurgen Klinsmann hailed him as a ‘phenomenal’ talent. Magath, who worked with Hyndman at Fulham before his move to the south coast, said: ‘I’ve never seen a player his age play like that — he passes like an old pro. ‘He will be a good player. His role could be similar to the one Pirlo plays, responsible for the forward play of the team from deep.’ Klinsmann was also hugely impressed after handing Hyndman his full US international debut three years ago in a friendly against Czech Republic. He said: ‘Emerson is phenomenal. In our first training session, he was 18. I said to my coach: “Are you seeing what I’m seeing?” Everyone was like: “Woah”.’
RANGERS legend Stuart McCall has warned the Ibrox board they must find the cash to challenge Celtic soon — or risk seeing their great rivals ‘smash’ the famous Nine-In-A-Row record shared by both clubs. Admitting to being seriously worried by the prospect of the Parkhead team hitting ten straight titles, McCall accepts that Brendan Rodgers is already closing in on number six for the reigning champions. Currently sitting 19 points adrift of the leaders, Rangers have moved to strengthen their squad, with USA Under-20s captain Emerson Hyndman flying into Glasgow to complete a loan deal yesterday and Arsenal midfielder Jon Toral set to do likewise today. But McCall, a key part of the side who equalled Celtic’s record of nine straight league flags, said the current board have to spend more — and more wisely — to close a widening gap. ‘Stopping Nine or Ten-In-A-Row