Marius Niculae: Mutu is just like Torres..he can destroy any defence in the world

Apr 20 2008 By Gavin Berry

MARIUS NICULAE reckons Rangers will come up against a striker as good as scoring sensation Fernando Torres when Adrian Mutu is unleashed at Ibrox this week.

The Inverness ace has warned that his Romanian international colleague, who he also partnered at Dinamo Bucharest, can single-handedly destroy Gers' Euro dream.

And Niculae is so impressed by Mutu's ability to turn games in a blink of an eye he compared the Fiorentina striker to Liverpool's sizzling Spaniard Torres ahead of Thursday's UEFA Cup semi-final first leg at Ibrox. Walter Smith's rock-solid rearguard haven't conceded a goal at home in the competition but have yet to come up against a striker of Mutu's quality.

He has bagged 22 goals this season, including a stunning double away to PSV Eindhoven in the last round to book La Viola's last-four showdown with Gers.

And Niculae said: "There are not many players around like Mutu although you could maybe pick out someone like Torres. Against Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-final you didn't see Torres then all of a sudden he produced a brilliant strike that helped win the game.

"Like Adrian, you can't leave Torres alone for two seconds or he will hurt you.

"Is Torres better? I don't know but if Adrian was still playing in the Premiership I'm convinced he would score just as many goals.

"Adrian is a good guy. He is also one of the top players in Italy and the best we have in Romania.

"Everybody knows Serie A is one of the hardest leagues to score in yet he's doing it regularly.

"Mutu is capable of doing incredible things that can change a game, just like he did against PSV.

"He is a huge talent and one of the best strikers in Europe."

Niculae was reunited with former Chelsea starMutu in the Romania squad for last month's friendly against Russia and upstaged him by coming off the bench to score in a 3-0 win.

He admits being reunited with the striker brought back happy memories of their early days.

Niculae said: "We actually played together when we were younger at Dinamo Bucharest.

"We had about a season and a half in the same teamand it was a good time for both of us.

"Adrian is certainly themost talented player I have worked with.

"You can be on the pitch with him for 89 minutes and he'll do nothing then bang - he'll score to win you the game.

"It can be infuriating but it's always worth having him in the team.

"Every player has weaknesses but Adrian doesn't have many. If I was to pinpoint one it would be that he won't chase back - he got me to do that for him!

"But he is so quick, strong and excellent at holding the ball. Of course he is also skilful and a great finisher.

"Without doubt he is the main danger toRangers and I don't think they have faced a player like him so far in this UEFA Cup run."

Mutu is perhaps best known for being booted out of Chelsea for failing a drugs test but Niculae insists those troubles are well and truly behind him.

He said: "Adrian had his problems but is over themnow.He made a mistake at Chelsea and knows that.

"He went to Juventus to begin rebuilding his career and did a really good job. He is definitely a stronger person for what happened and maybe even a better player too."

Niculae would love to play with Mutu at this summer's Euro finals in Austria and Switzerland after ending his two-year international exile last month.

He said: "My dream is to get to Euro 2008 and of course to play alongside Adrian would be superb.

"I have five more games with Inverness this season and need to score a few goals and impress the national coach. I've done some good things this season but it was hard to be at my best in the beginning.

"Once I got my match fitness I improved and have played some good games. I would like to have scored a few more goals but hopefully I've contributed to the team."