Albertz: Double trouble team will be losers

Apr 27 2008 By Gavin Berry

JORG ALBERTZ has warned the Rangers players not to relight the fireworks from Parkhead 11 days ago or risk the league blowing up in their face.

The Old Firm double-header expert knows from bitter experience that any simmering feuds from the first meeting of Scotland's footballing giants must be left behind for the second game.

The Ibrox legend experienced the high of beating the Hoops twice in quick succession but also recalls the pain of back-to-back defeats.

The 37-year-old German vividly remembers seeing two team-mates sent off in the CIS Cup semi-final in 2001 as his side lost 3-1 at Hampden.

And four days later Fernando Ricksen was red carded in a league game at Parkhead and again Albertz was on the losing side.

The Clyde midfielder doesn't see the outcome of those games as a coincidence and that is why he has called for calm heads from his old team.

Jorg said: "Losing the plot doesn't help your team and I know that from experience. I remember playing at Hampden when we had two sent off.

"Michael Mols was red carded and so was Claudio Reyna near the end of the game along with Lubo Moravcik.

"In the next match we went to Parkhead in the league and had Ricksen sent off and lost that as well.

"Double headers are strange and I know some players exchanged a few words in the last game but any baggage can't be allowed to be carried over to this fixture.

"If you have had an issue with your opponent then the way to answer him is to go on to the pitch, perform well and win the game.

"There is so much riding on this one that something could snap. By all means have a determination but when that's too high then it can work against you as you might get sent off."