Alexander technique saves Rangers
Friday, May 2, 2008
Article summary
Keeper Neil Alexander is relishing "the chance to make history" after helping Rangers FC reach the UEFA Cup final with a penalty shoot-out save at ACF Fiorentina.
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Happy error
"When it goes to penalties you've got a chance to be a hero, and that's what was going through my head: 'If I just save one, then you never know'," said Alexander, only in the Rangers side because of injury to regular No1 Allan McGregor. "We didn't get off to the best start but I saved one, Christian Vieri put his over the bar and then it was down to Nach [Nacho Novo]. The rest is history." Yet as the blue shirts streamed towards Novo and the Rangers fans packed into the South Stand, the goalkeeper was left standing. "I thought they still had one penalty to go," he admitted. "I had to do a double take, I saw the boys running and thought: 'I've got to catch up with them.'"
Beyond expectations
The 30-year-old may have been slow to respond at the end, but his reactions throughout the preceding 120 minutes had been impeccable, making save after save as Fiorentina dominated at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. "Myself and the back four were very busy, and our defence was outstanding, Carlos [Cuéllar] and David Weir especially – they are the main reason we got through," Alexander continued, having kept a second clean sheet against the Viola. "It's unbelievable, I can't really take it in. To be in a major final is something that I never thought I'd ever reach in my career. Since I've come to Rangers it's just got better and better."
History boys
Indeed, five months ago Alexander was gearing up for a trip to Bristol City FC's Ashton Gate with Ipswich Town FC, any thoughts of a UEFA Cup final a long way off. Yet he signed for Rangers at the end of January and an ankle injury to McGregor has seen him earn his chance – and how he has grasped it. He saved two penalties in Rangers' shoot-out success against Saint Johnstone FC in the Scottish Cup semi-finals 12 days ago and then denied Fabio Liverani in Florence, but he is not stopping there. "There is a chance for us to make history and be a team of heroes," he said. "We're there, we've done half the job, and if we can go on and win it in Manchester it'd be unbelievable."
