The big news in the Milan camp is that they have signed Brazilian superstar Rivaldo on a free transfer, after he was released by Barcelona. His reported wage demands of £150k per week seem to have been well wide of the mark as he has taken an £800,000 cut in his annual wage, which is now a modest(!) £3m. However sadly for the Ibrox punters and thankfully for the Ibrox defenders, Rivaldo won't be making an appearance at Ibrox today.
The lack of cash around the game at the minute has not stopped the Milan club from spending in the close season. Apart from Rivaldo, in have come Clarence Seedorf (an alledged Celtic target - don't all snigger at once!) from Inter; Croatian Dario Simic (also from Inter); Jon Dahl Tomasson from UEFA Cup winners Feyenoord; Sam Dalla Bona from Chelsea; and the exciting young forward Marco Borriello from Treviso.
To balance the books, out have gone Javi Moreno (Athletico Madrid); Umit Davala (Inter); and Marco Donadel (Lecce) as well as a host of players (including Albertini and Jose Mari to Athletico Madrid) on loan.
The Milan side, who trained at Auchenhowie yesterday, have however promised to field a strong side which is likely to include the likes of Andrei Shevchenko, Rui Costa, Paulo Maldini and our old friend Rino Gattuso. It will be an emotional moment for the 24 year old midfielder who did not want to leave Rangers. An Italian cap, I would suggest he's proven his midfield worth even if Mr Advocaat did not rate him.
It'll be the first game at Ibrox for new recruits Kevin Muscat and Mikel Arteta, and amazingly only one player is injured for the prestigious game. Neil McCann, sidelined for the entire US tour, is still out with an ankle injury whilst Christian Nerlinger has recovered and is likely to figure at some point.
Manager Alex McLeish has ensured the extra edge on the performance by telling his squad that even if they start against AC Milan, they are in no way guaranteed a starting spot for next week's clash with Kilmarnock. He told Sky Sports "I know that the Milan game is the big, prestigious game and everyone will want to play in it, but my message to the players is that I haven't made my mind up yet. I have a nucleus in my head of course for the opening day of the league campaign, but over the next two games I'm looking for people to impress.
"I won't make my mind up until Thursday or Friday next week, so even Linfield can't be treated as a small game, a going-through-the-motions game or a show-boating game".
Wise words - I hope the squad take the hint.
Vanderhogg
The East Enclosure Dutchman