The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Wallace’s sights on European nights
It will take hard work, but hopefully this time next season we’re in a similar position. LEE WALLACE
Rangers skipper Lee Wallace admits he has cast an envious eye at Celtic’s Champions League group and still has not given up hope it will be his side running out on Europe’s biggest stage next term.
Gers’ Glasgow rivals landed themselves a £20 million windfall when they were drawn alongside Barcelona, Manchester City and Borussia Monchengladbach in Group C.
And while the Scottish champions have been taking on some of the biggest stars in world football, the Light Blues captain admits he has been watching the competition wishing it was him.
Reaching the promised land of the Champions League still appears to be a distant dream for Wallace and his teammates as they trail their foes by seven points having played a game more. But the defender remains ambitious. He said: “I’m watching Barcelona-Manchester City last night and of course there is envy there. You want to be playing at those levels.
“That’s why I came to this club. That’s
why a number of guys have signed for this club. As a Rangers player that’s where you want to be.
“But we know how we’re going to get there. It will take hard work, but hopefully this time next season we’re in a similar position.”
Had Wallace tuned into to Celtic’s 2-0 loss to Gladbach on Wednesday, he would have been given some useful pointers ahead of Sunday’s semi-final.
The Bundesliga side gave Celtic a lesson in one-touch football while managing to quell the threats posed by the likes of Moussa Dembele, Scott Sinclair and Kieran Tierney.
Wallace’s side could certainly do with some help handling Brendan Rodgers’ rampant Hoops after last month’s 5-1 Parkhead thrashing.
But the left-back has been buoyed by recent wins over Partick Thistle and Inverness and insists his team will not be walked over so easily this time.
“Of course Celtic will be disappointed after last night,” he said. “They are in a tough group with some elite teams but I’m sure they will be ready for Sunday in the same way we are prepared for it.
“We’ve got some good momentum behind us. The last two results have been two clean sheets and performances have been starting to gather.
“We learn lessons from every game, no matter if it’s a 5-0 win or we lose in the manner we did last time.”
Gers will revisit some more painful memories when they run out at Hampden this weekend.
Their last visit ended amid chaotic scenes when they were forced to flee the national stadium as shameful scenes of violence broke out in the wake of their Scottish Cup final defeat by Hibs.
He said: “Of course it was disappointing the last time we were here but credit to Hibs on they day, they were fully deserving of their win.
“But we’re going to be stronger for that experience. Hopefully myself and my team-mates can get ourselves back to the position where we’re in cup finals and winning Rangers silverware in years to come.”