We Can’t Be Complacent

[ian1964 10,409]

LEE WALLACE knows Rangers are closing in on the League One title but he has urged his team-mates to retain their focus as they look to get over the finish line as quickly as possible and with a bit of style.

 

As things stand if Ally McCoist’s players can win their next four league games and then beat second place Dunfermline on March 15 at Ibrox they will be crowned champions for the second year in a row. This, of course, is assuming the Pars win all their games through the same period.

 

Having helped his side win their last nine games following the 1-1 draw against Stranraer on Boxing Day, Lee would love it if Rangers can extend this impressive run until the end of the season but he is aware how tough that will be.

 

Tomorrow the Light Blues will welcome Stenhousemuir to Ibrox for the second time in 2013/14 and the Warriors, with Scott Booth now in charge of the club, will be out for revenge following the 8-0 defeat they suffered on September 28.

 

Wallace was on target on that occasion, the left back sliding the ball under keeper Chris Smith with a low finish to make it 5-0, but he is expecting a 90-minute battle against the Warriors from Ochilview this weekend.

 

Speaking at Murray Park this morning he said: “I think we certainly got our best result and probably one of our best performances against them in the 8-0 game earlier in the season.

 

“It’s been hard to try and re-achieve that type of scoreline and get close to that type of performance but I think we’ve picked up recently.

 

“Obviously in the recent game against Dunfermline we were more like ourselves but we know it’s going to be a tough game against Stenhousemuir.

 

“They have some good individual players who can hurt us and if we don’t match them and more we will be in a bit of bother. But we’re looking forward to it and trying to keep this run going.

 

“There have been times in here when we’ll talk about how far away the league title is but when we take to the training field or get ready for games on a Saturday we’ll always be focused on winning, we’ll never let complacency creep in.

 

“We know there are difficult games and that’s just how it is always going to be. We have to stay focused, be professional and try to recapture a level of performance that excites fans and gets us all playing exciting football.

 

“That’s obviously what we are trying to achieve and we can’t look too far ahead.”

 

http://www.rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/item/6370-we-can%E2%80%99t-be-complacent

[ian1964 10,409]

Wallace did not bargain on leaving in Rangers fire sale

 

LEE Wallace has revealed he would have refused to leave Rangers if the Ibrox club had agreed to sell him during the January transfer window.

 

 

 

The SPFL League One leaders turned down bids - the last believed to be worth £900,000 - from Championship club Nottingham Forest for the player last month.

 

However, the Gers rejected every offer from Forest for the player who has been their outstanding performer throughout the 2013/14 campaign.

 

The left-back, whose current deal runs until 2017, has now told how he would have remained at the Glasgow giants even if they had been prepared to let him go.

 

He said: "I am under contract here and if the bids had been accepted then obviously the final decision would have rested with me.

 

"It wouldn't have been the best of scenarios for me. But I know what I would have done if that had happened. I would have stayed.

 

"The transfer window was not an easy time. It is always hectic in January. Things can move quickly and things can happen late on.

 

"I did always think the club could have agreed to sell me especially when the bids came in. But, obviously, with the club rejecting them I was happy.

 

"I am still here, we have got some big games coming up and we are going to have a right push now for the title. We have got a big future ahead of us."

 

Wallace's stance is interesting given that, in light of off-field developments this week, it is not inconceivable the club could try to offload him in the future.

 

The defender is without question their most saleable asset and would be the likeliest to be sold to generate income if it was needed in the future.

 

News broke this week that officials are locked in talks with two investors about a £1.5 million loan.

 

That development has led to speculation among concerned fans that Rangers are set to go into administration for the second time in two years.

 

Those rumours have been "categorically" denied and branded "ill-informed" for the second time this month by Rangers chief executive Graham Wallace

 

But his name-sake in the Ibrox defence, who will line up against Stenhousemuir in a league game at Ibrox this afternoon, stressed the latest unrest has not unsettled the players.

 

He said: "I doubt we'll even talk about it in the dressing room. There will probably be wee bits of chat here and there, but nothing too alarming that we will be having meetings or anything like that.

 

"We have a massive game this weekend that we will look forward to and try to win in order keep our unbeaten run going. All our focus will always be on the training field and out on the park on match days."

 

Wallace has admitted he was disappointed to this week be left out of the Scotland squad for the international friendly with Poland in Warsaw at the start of next month.

 

But he stressed he would not give up hope of being involved with his country in their Euro 2016 qualifiers.

 

He said: I will not get too downbeat or go in a huff. I will remain positive.

 

"I've been in this situation before, when I've been in a couple of squads and then been left out.

 

"I'll never give up hope. I've been faced with obstacles in the past with the managers saying it would be difficult to call guys in at this level, but I've always stayed focused.

 

"I managed to get back in a couple of squads with the new manager (Gordon Strachan), and he's always been an advocate of if you're doing well, no matter what level you're at, you'll always have a chance.

 

"First and foremost, I'll always focus on what I'm doing here and do as well as I can for Rangers. It's a bonus what happens after that."

 

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/rangers/wallace-did-not-bargain-on-leaving-in-rangers-fire-sale-153146n.23500684

[ian1964 10,409]

Nice words from Lee, loyalty in abundance, should be our Captain