Source: Team_Talk
Goram cannot see outside Old Firm
Former Rangers goalkeeper Andy Goram has told clubs outside the Old Firm to forget any pretensions about winning the SPL next season.[LNB] The last club to take the championship away from Glasgow was Aberdeen in 1985.[LNB]Celtic and Rangers have shared the title since with Goram part of the Ibrox side which went on to capture nine titles in a row in the late 1980s and 1990s.[LNB]Champions Rangers have lost five players during the summer while Celtic's new manager Neil Lennon has made a handful of new signings in his bid to wrest the title back from Govan.[LNB]But regardless of the Old Firm's differing preparations, Goram, speaking yesterday at the launch of a Cheque Centre branch in Larkhall, claimed the Glasgow giants will once more battle each other for the title.[LNB]"I don't look outside the Old Firm," he said. "Every year someone says they will split the Old Firm and they end up 20 points behind.[LNB]"I don't see it being any different this season. I think whoever comes out on top in the Old Firm games will win the league.[LNB]"I don't see anyone else having an effect on the league.[LNB]"It's the same as the 90s, if you came out on top over the four games you will win the league."[LNB]Goram had plenty of praise for his former club, saying: "I had all the respect in the world for them for winning the title last season.[LNB]"I think last season was one of the biggest achievements.[LNB]"They didn't play too well but they still stuck in and that comes from above - the gaffer, and his backroom staff, Ally McCoist, Ian Durrant and Kenny McDowall.[LNB]"You look at the gaffer and the backroom staff, they have the hunger and desire and that shows throughout the team."[LNB]Goram believes Rangers have one ace up their sleeve in keeper Allan McGregor, who is set to resurrect his international career after Scotland number one Craig Gordon suffered a broken arm in training with Sunderland.[LNB]The Rangers number one has not featured for the national team since his involvement in the infamous "Boozegate" affair last year, along with then Ibrox club-mate Barry Ferguson.[LNB]Goram said: "You don't peak until you're 28. The four best years of your life are from 28 to 32.[LNB]"He's just about getting there now, so if Rangers have got him for the next four years, then it's happy birthday Rangers.[LNB]"He doesn't make mistakes, that's his secret.[LNB]"Stefan Klos was there for five years and you can't blame him for one that he chucked in.[LNB]"It's the same with Allan, you can't pin him for a massive blunder.[LNB]"His consistency has been fantastic."[LNB]Scotland manager Craig Levein also has Cardiff's David Marshall and Rangers' second-choice goalkeeper Neil Alexander to call upon but Goram believes McGregor deserves a second chance.[LNB]He said: "I think he's paid the penalty for a mistake he knows he's made.[LNB]"We've all done that - I think you're asking the right boy here. "But McGregor, and Neil Alexander, it's a big chance for the two of them.[LNB]"It's an awful shame for Craig Gordon because he came back from a broken arm and was on top of his game.[LNB]"But it opens the door for Allan and Neil."
