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Wednesday, 27 September, 2000, 16:20 GMT 17:20 UK
Galatasaray v Rangers preview
Rangers' injury problems have eased with the news that Jorg Albertz, Michael Mols and, perhaps most importantly, Stefan Klos are expected to be fit to play against Galatasaray.
It means that manager Dick Advocaat should not, now, need to consider throwing 19-year-old goalkeeper Michael Brown into the red-hot atmosphere of the Ali Sami Yen Stadium on Wednesday night.
First-choice Klos has been struggling with an ankle injury, while back-up Lionel Charbonnier was left at home complaining of a calf strain.
However, the German No.1, Mols and Albertz all came through Tuesday afternoon's training session successfully, with Klos later admitting that he was having to pay through the pain barrier as his ankle is becoming more painful with every match he plays.
The recovery of Mols, who is just back from long-term injury, could also mean another disappointment for the forgotten man of Ibrox Stadium, Marco Negri.
The Scottish champions' manager, Dick Advocaat, outfoxed AS Monaco last week by playing Turkish midfielder Tugay as a sweeper in their Champions League tie.
However, the return of Negri for their next Group D match would have been more out of necessity than design.
The Italian striker has spent more than two years in the wilderness.
Under Dick Advocaat, the Italian's sole first-team action in a competitive game has been a substitute appearance against minnows Morton in the Scottish Cup seven months ago.
Doubts over the fitness of Mols, who has just returned from long-term injury, thrust the 30-year-old back in to the limelight.
Now the man who scored 35 goals in his first season at Ibrox appears to be vying for a place on the bench with Billy Dodds as Rangers aim to extend their 100% record in Group D.
The Dutch manager insisted: "He is mentally and physically tuned, otherwise he wouldn't be here.
"He started training at the beginning of pre-season and I could see we were much further than he was.
"Now is the moment to bring him back and, with the concern about Mols, we don't have an out-and-out striker."
Meanwhile, Tugay has revealed that he was hurt that only one of his former team-mates had telephoned him following his move to Rangers and that he would have no second thoughts about defeating the club for which he played so long.
"My home is in Scotland now," he stressed. "I played in Galatasaray for 14 years and now I play against them, but my emotions won't affect my play."
He had played as sweeper for both club and country before coming to Ibrox, said: "I hope I play there. I like my new role."
Rangers' fears that Istanbul would be a potentially dangerous venue in the wake of last season's trouble when Leeds United came to the Bosphorus - two Leeds fans were fatally stabbed - have so far proved unfounded.
However, the atmosphere is sure to be intimidating in the stadium, where a victory for the Scottish champions would put them on the brink of the last 16.
The UEFA Cup and Super Cup holders are under pressure following a 3-0 defeat at Sturm Graz in the Champions League last week and a disappointing home draw on Saturday with neighbours Istanbulspor.
Galatasaray will be without the influential Gheorghe Hagi and Suat Kaya, who are both suspended, plus the injured Capone and Okan Burak, which means they are stretched for midfield cover.
Up front, though, they have the Brazilian, Jardel, who was poised to join Rangers four years ago but who was refused a work permit only to prove himself at Porto and win an £18m summer move to Turkey.
Advocaat warned: "Jardel is a special box player with an exceptional feeling of where he has to be."
Indeed, the Dutch coach warned: "I still see Galatasaray as favourites.
"I have always said the three others have to fight for second place."
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