Top Man Will Be Missing

Feb 10 2008 By Gordon Waddell

AFRICAN Nations sensation Manucho arrives in Athens to join Panathinaikos tomorrow - but Takis Fyssas reckons Rangers won't have to worry about facing the on-form striker.

The Angolan ace signed for Manchester United in December but because of work permit issues in the UK he had to be sent straight out on loan.

With Pana coach Jose Peseiro a close pal of United No.2 Carlos Quieroz the Greeks landed the man who set the recent Cup of Nations on fire with the goal of the tournament.

But Fyssas has warned the 24-year-old he won't just walk into a starting jersey.

The ex-Hearts star said: "Manucho looks good but with our coach I think he will have to wait before he gets to play.

"Our coach puts a lot of importance on training. For Manucho to be in the team he needs to be part of the team first, if you see what I mean. It was the same when I first arrived here.

"And we've also just signed left-back Nikos Spiropoulos. He's a great player, the future of the team, but he hasn't played yet as the coach wants him to grow with us and Manucho will be the same.

"But then we have so many good strikers it will be tough enough for Rangers without him."