Win Can End Nearly Half Century Of Gers Agony

Apr 20 2008 By Gavin Berry

DAVIE WILSON insists Rangers can finally snatch revenge over Fiorentina in the UEFA Cup semi-finals and end almost half a century of hurt.

The Ibrox legend suffered heartbreaking defeat in the 1961 European Cup Winners' Cup Final to the Italians.

But he is convinced Gers' current crop can pull off a landmark triumph - because the Serie A side have nobody in the class of the stars who terrorised Scot Symon's men.

Wilson remembers famous Swede Kurt Hamrin running riot when Fiorentina won 4-1 on aggregate for their only Euro success.

That two-legged crunch was Rangers' first European final and Wilson is confident they can dump the Italians this season to reach their fourth.

He said: "I'm sure we can win because we can beat anyone just now and victory would help us avenge our defeat in 1961.

"I will always remember Fiorentina's left winger Kurt Hamrin who tormented us in that final.

"We would have won the cup if it hadn't been for him and the thing that gives me great hope for this tie is there's no way the current Fiorentina team will have a player of his ability.

"Hamrin was a Swedish international, so was well known to us but he was a great player.

"He played outside left but was all over the park and scored their second goal in a 2-1 win at Ibrox after they beat us 2-0 in Italy.

"Fiorentina were a top side - the best European team we played in that era.

"It was no disgrace losing to them but still a helluva disappointment because we would have been remembered as the first Rangers side to win a European trophy.

"We had a good team with three goalscorers in the forward line, strength in midfield and pace from wee Willie Henderson.

"We beat Ferencvaros, Borussia Moenchengladbach and Wolves so fancied our chances in the final. But over two legs the best team won."

Wilson has seen this Rangers side grow in confidence on their way to the last four and paid tribute to Walter Smith's rebuilding job after the mess left by Paul Le Guen. Wilson also picked out Fulham loan star Steve Davis as a key man for Thursday's first-leg showdown with fellow midfielders Barry Ferguson and Kevin Thomson both suspended.

Former wing king Wilson said: "You get better as the tournament goes on and that's been the case with Rangers.

"When you see how close Bayern Munich were to going out in the last round it makes you realise there is good quality left so it won't be easy.

"We must trouble Fiorentina's defence but the longer it remains scoreless the better and I'd settle for 0-0 because Walter has proved he can do it away from home.

"It would be nice to score a couple like we did against Werder Bremen but it's crucial not to concede.

"Italian teams' strengths are being good at passing and strong defensively - but that's what this Rangers side is based on.

"Our defence is the best in the SPL and there are some fine players in midfield. Thomson is starting to blossom although he's maybe a bit short of speed compared to Davis.

"Walter has to buy Davis in the summer. I love everything about the guy - he has pace and a great engine.

"He will be so important to us in midweek and will be the leader in midfield for the first leg.

"But it's Walter and his backroom staff who are the difference. Look at Le Guen now - he's near the bottom of the French League with PSG. He was the cause of our problems."