Moyes set to be Czeching out Gers fixtures with Slavia
Rangers’ Europa League clash with Slavia Prague will be carefully scrutinised by Davie Moyes.
The Light Blues travel to the Czech Republic for the first leg on March 11, with the return to be played at Ibrox seven days later.
It is the second year running Steven Gerrard’s men have reached the last-16 of the competition and they will go into the ties off the back of a hugely entertaining 9- 5 aggregate win over Royal Antwerp in the round of 32.
However, it is their opponents and, in particular their teenage striker Abdallah Sima, who will be the focus of the West Ham manager’s attention.
Moyes has had Sima, who scored from long range to help dump Leicester City out of the Europa League last Thursday night, strongly recommended to him by his midfielder Tomas Soucek.
Soucek – signed from Slavia for £ 19.1 million last year – has been central to the Hammers’ success this season and has urged his boss to go for the Senegalese as he is sure he can make an equally big impact in England’s top flight.
There was speculation a deal could even be struck in the January window but the prospective move has been put on hold until the summer.
Certainly, Sima’s figures would appear to suggest Rangers will need to pay him especially close attention.
In the 27 games prior to his stunning strike against Leicester, he had scored 18 goals and made five assists.
And he displayed his close bond with his former Sl a v i a teammate when joining in a Facetime call made to Soucek from the pitch at the King Power Stadium immediately following last Thursday’s game.
The celebrations of Rangers next opponents showed just how much of a surprise their success was.
Having drawn the first leg in the Czech Republic 0- 0, they were seen as near- certainties to lose out to Brendan Rodgers’ men.
However, with a hugely convincing performance they, upset Leicester 2- 0 to deny England what would have been a fourth team in the last 16.
Me a n w h i l e, Sl a v i a boss Jindrich Trpisovsky has revealed he knows Rangers will be a tough draw because he’s already watched them.
He pointed out: “By coincidence, I actually watched a Rangers game on TV three weeks ago. Look at their position in the Scottish league and their performances in Europe and it will tell you we are playing serious opposition.
“In my opinion, they are the strongest team seen in Scotland for many years.
“It would be nice if we could take a lead to Glasgow after the first leg, but I wouldn’t be too annoyed if we held out for another 0-0 draw like against Leicester.
“Rangers play a slightly different style to Leicester, but certainly playing in England will help us when we play Rangers.
“It’s just a pity our fans won’t be able to experience the famous Glasgow atmosphere.”
St Johnstone skipper Jason Kerr will spare a thought for twin brother Greg ahead of this afternoon’s Betfred Cup Final.
As the 24- year- old Scot explained, had things worked out a little differently the pair could have been lining up together against Livingston at the national stadium.
Instead, his sibling will be watching on from afar, pining for the day when a relaxing of Covid regulations will permit his own return to action with Leith Athletic in the East of Scotland league.
“My brother was here with me at St Johnstone for the first two years,” said Kerr.
“It didn’t work out for him, he’s a good player and scored a few goals, but he’s playing pub league now.
“He was a striker and was good for the Under-20s, it just didn’t really happen.
“But he has been really supportive of me and I have supported him.
“There were a lot of good strikers here at the time, and at the end of every season players don’t all get kept on.
“That’s what happens with a lot of players, but he went to the Royal in Penicuik and scored a few for them.
“He’s done well in the East of Scotland League.
“It’s disappointing he can’t play right now, they are desperate to play.
“So it’s a bit strange we are going to a cup final and they are not allowed to even play.
“He’ll just be watching the game in the house with the rest of the family.
“They’ll have a day in the house but my mum will probably be so nervous she’ll spend it in the kitchen.”
Rewind to late summer 2019, and it was the St Johnstone supporters who were feeling anxious.
Then, Kerr was at the very start of his captaincy, having been handed the armband following the departure of Joe Shaughnessy
to Southend United.
At the time just 22, he admits he found the added responsibility a little unsettling.
“When I was first captain we didn’t start off very well (Saints went through their first nine games in the Premiership without a win) and there were a lot of questions being asked,” he recalled.
“I am a young player and as such having to be the captain of an older squad was a bit different.
“The squad and the manager stuck by me then and I need to thank them for that.
“Happily, since then it has gone better in terms of results for St Johnstone and, from a personal perspective, I have found the role of captain has got a lot easier as it has gone on.
“This is a really special time for the club. “The Final is the kind of games you dream about playing in but you don’t ever think it will happen to you though because it seems so far off.
“I played boys’ club football until I was 17 and got to cup finals, but it’s nothing like this.
“You always hope you’ll get to this level one day, you work so hard to make it happen and hopefully we can win the cup on Sunday.
“Winning a second major trophy in seven years would be a massive achievement for St Johnstone and for Perth. We just need to make it happen.”
As the defender admits, the omens are good with his goal against Hibs in the semi- final a near carbon copy of Steven Anderson’s score in the 2014 Scottish Cup triumph over Dundee United.
“I had just joined St Johnstone when they won the cup so I was watching it,” he said.
“It was a really good day. The boys obviously played really well and it was a massive day for St Johnstone.
“Straight after the semi with Hibs I did see a few tweets saying how similar my header was to the Anderson goal. A corner from the left and a header at the back post.
“It was obviously good getting that comparison as well because I played alongside him and he was a top, top, defender who helped me a lot in my career so it was good to follow in his footsteps a bit.
“Our coach, Steven Maclean, was a massive part of that 2014 Scottish Cup Final team so he has been giving us the benefit of his experience.
“He just said to the boys that, although it is a massive day, you just need to take it as it comes.
“Don’t get too nervous, just play your own game, because at the end of the day it is still a football match and as such is there to be won.”
■ JASON KERR was speaking to promote Premier Sports’ live and exclusive coverage of the Betfred Cup Final Livingston v St Johnstone on Sunday from 1pm. Premier Sports is available on Sky, Virgin TV and the Premier Player. Prices start from £9.99 per month.”