Football: LOGJAM WON'T PUT ME IN A FIX.Byline: By GORDON WADDELL MARATHON man Carlos Cuellar insists he's ready to play two seasons in the space of one to help Rangers to glory. The Spaniard's longest haul in the Primera Liga with Osasuna was a 30-game shift as coaches were determined to keep their stars fresh. But this season he has already made an astonishing 48 starts - and could have another 19 to go if Walter Smith's men go all the way in every tournament. That would be over double what he ever did back in Spain but Cuellar insists he will play three games a week between now and May to get the job done. Last week's Scottish Cup The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup[1], usually known as the Scottish Cup, is the national cup knockout competition in Scottish football. The trophy awarded to the winners has the distinction of being the oldest national trophy in the world. draw with Partick Thistle added another date to the Ibrox club's fixture list and the 26-year-old admits it's a gruelling schedule. He said: "The team is a little bit tired. The preparation for Partick Thistle was good but we played badly and another game is going to be difficult for our squad. "Personally, I don't feel tired. I feel good. I can play two or three games a week. "In Spain you can maybe play 28, 30, 32 games a season. The coaches have different methods and they change the team. "But the game with Partick was my 48th. That's good though. I'll be happy as long as Walter Smith Walter Smith OBE (born February 24 1948 in Lanark) is a Scottish former football player, but is better known as a football manager. He is currently the manager of Scottish Premier League club Rangers, his second spell in that capacity with the club. keeps me in the team." However, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. Cuellar, Rangers will only keep winning as long as skipper Barry Ferguson Barry Ferguson MBE (born Hamilton, Scotland, February 2, 1978) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays in midfield. He currently plays for and captains both Scottish Premier League club Rangers and the Scotland national team. is in the team. The midfielder was missing against the Jags, nursing an ankle knock, and it showed. He was also rested in a 4-2 defeat to Hearts this season and Cuellar confessed: "When Barry doesn't play the team has a problem. "He is the most important and best player in the team. Barry is the captain, the reference point. When we have a problem he won't hide. "But I don't think it's anything serious with his ankle injury and he should be able to play every game." There's no doubt Ferguson's return will lift the team above the standards they set in midweek. But Cuellar reckons it will be a different ball game against Celtic at Ibrox on Saturday anyway. He said: "Celtic really need the points and the atmosphere will be totally different to other games. "The first experience I had of the Old Firm game was fantastic. It was an amazing a·maze v. a·mazed, a·maz·ing, a·maz·es v.tr. 1. To affect with great wonder; astonish. See Synonyms at surprise. 2. Obsolete To bewilder; perplex. v.intr. game and the win made a big difference to our season. But this match is more important." CAPTION(S): Cuellar: Ready for hectic run-in |
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