Post by Taxigirl on Oct 22, 2003 10:44:41 GMT
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson believes his side's Champions League tie with Rangers is the biggest match to be played in Scotland "for a long, long time".
Ferguson thinks the crucial Group E contest at Ibrox will revive the memories and atmosphere of the old home internationals between Scotland and England.
"It is probably the biggest game in Scotland for a long, long time. I hope everyone enjoys it," said Ferguson.
"It creates the kind of competitive thing that Scotland and England don't have now.
Feature: Battles of Britain
"When Scotland and England internationals were on there was always great excitement and anticipation and some terrific games between the two countries.
"We don't have that now, and when we have occasions like this - I went to see Leeds and Rangers a few years back - it is fantastic.
We have come to bury Caesar, not praise him
Sir Alex Ferguson on Alex McLeish
Ferguson has also thrown his weight behind calls for Rangers and Old Firm rivals Celtic to take their places in the English Premiership.
The Scot believes both teams would blossom south of the border if they were given the chance to play in the more competitive league.
"I think they would do well. With their resources, history, tradition and support of course they would do well," Ferguson added.
"Mind you, they probably could not go straight into the Premier League and have to start in the Conference or even the Rymans League! Seriously, though, they would do well - no doubt about that."
Ferguson has many links to the Ibrox club - he played for them in the 1960s, and current Rangers boss Alex McLeish played under him at Aberdeen.
But the 61-year-old made it clear the mutual admiration society will not be present and he is determined to get United back on track after their defeat in Stuttgart three weeks ago.
"Alex has done very well. To have won a treble with players he inherited is a remarkable feat - that is never easy," he added.
"But we have come to bury Caesar, not praise him.
"We have had a fright with the Stuttgart result, but it is early enough to do something about it.
"Losing to Stuttgart puts a lot of tension on this match, and maybe the tension will get through to some people.
"But certainly with the experience my team have had, I hope that will not be the case."
Ferguson thinks the crucial Group E contest at Ibrox will revive the memories and atmosphere of the old home internationals between Scotland and England.
"It is probably the biggest game in Scotland for a long, long time. I hope everyone enjoys it," said Ferguson.
"It creates the kind of competitive thing that Scotland and England don't have now.
Feature: Battles of Britain
"When Scotland and England internationals were on there was always great excitement and anticipation and some terrific games between the two countries.
"We don't have that now, and when we have occasions like this - I went to see Leeds and Rangers a few years back - it is fantastic.
We have come to bury Caesar, not praise him
Sir Alex Ferguson on Alex McLeish
Ferguson has also thrown his weight behind calls for Rangers and Old Firm rivals Celtic to take their places in the English Premiership.
The Scot believes both teams would blossom south of the border if they were given the chance to play in the more competitive league.
"I think they would do well. With their resources, history, tradition and support of course they would do well," Ferguson added.
"Mind you, they probably could not go straight into the Premier League and have to start in the Conference or even the Rymans League! Seriously, though, they would do well - no doubt about that."
Ferguson has many links to the Ibrox club - he played for them in the 1960s, and current Rangers boss Alex McLeish played under him at Aberdeen.
But the 61-year-old made it clear the mutual admiration society will not be present and he is determined to get United back on track after their defeat in Stuttgart three weeks ago.
"Alex has done very well. To have won a treble with players he inherited is a remarkable feat - that is never easy," he added.
"But we have come to bury Caesar, not praise him.
"We have had a fright with the Stuttgart result, but it is early enough to do something about it.
"Losing to Stuttgart puts a lot of tension on this match, and maybe the tension will get through to some people.
"But certainly with the experience my team have had, I hope that will not be the case."