Waiting Anxiously
RANGERS are waiting anxiously to hear from UEFA today if their Euro clash with FC Anzhi is to be moved to a safer venue in the wake of fierce fighting in southern Russia, which has now reportedly spilled into Dagestan.
Major Chechen aggression has been going on for the past three days with as many as 60 deaths on the side of the rebels and on Russian forces. Some of the fiercest has happened in the city of Gudermes only 100 miles from Makhachkala where Rangers are supposed to play on Thursday.
And in an alarming development today, the Itar Tass website is reporting that three anti-terrorism operations have been conducted in Dagestan today which must surely influence UEFA's thinking.
Rangers, who have been pleading their case for nearly a month now, are ready to play at a neutral venue at short notice but they simply will not travel to Dagestan.
The whole region has become increasingly more dangerous and it has only strengthened chairman David Murray's resolve.
The Russian authorities are reporting the capture of around 400 suspected guerillas. However, there are still thousands of rebels at large and they seem bent on further terror and destruction.
Britain's Foreign Office has long advocated no travel to this are of Russia and in a new development, the head, MP Peter Hayne, has written directly to UEFA president Lennart Johansson urging him to switch the game.
We will have the latest on the UEFA ruling as soon as we get it.
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