Fernando Ricksen in charge for Gordon Morrison’s Clach exit
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FERNANDO Ricksen is set to manage the Rangers legends when they make it a day to remember for departing Clach captain Gordon Morrison this weekend.
Just 23 hours after the Gers face Hibs in the Scottish Cup final at Hampden in Glasgow, some of the biggest names who have played for the Ibrox club will be starring at Grant Street Park at 2pm as the Lilies skipper hangs up his boots at the Highland League club.
Dutchman Ricksen has been battling Motor Neurone Disease and charity MND Scotland, which provides support and information for those with the condition, will be getting a share of the money raised specifically to assist Ricksen with medical costs in his battle, at the request of Morrison.
The big weekend kicks off tomorrow night (Friday) at the Kingsmills Hotel in Inverness as Ricksen, along with ex-Rangers stars Andy Goram, Jorg Albertz, Marco Negri, Colin Hendry and Nacho Novo will be on hand for the sportsman’s dinner, which will be hosted by former Clach player, manager, director and long-time supporter Jim Oliver.
Pulling on the white colours of Clach along with Morrison will be current players David McGurk, Blair Lawrie, Struan Scott-Woodhouse and Neil MacDonald and legends Colin Mitchell, Dave Matheson, Davie "Daisy" Ross, Shaun Kerr and Davie Brennan, with former Celtic and Caley Thistle player Charlie Christie also understood to be signed up.
As well as Goram, Albertz, Negri, Novo and Hendry, the Rangers side, as we went to press, was set to feature Alex Rae, Derek Ferguson, Jose Quitongo, Dave MacPherson and John MacDonald.
Firefighter Morrison, who admits that he’s already missing playing just weeks after the Highland League season ended, expects to experience plenty of emotions over the weekend.
The 36-year-old, who will travel with some of the players from both teams to Hampden for the final on Saturday, said: "Clach is in my blood, so in some ways it will be sad, but it looks like being a weekend to remember, especially if Rangers win the Scottish Cup, a game I am making no predictions about.
"The response has been great and we’ve even had to turn down Rangers legends, including Barry Ferguson and Lorenzo Amoruso, because every position is filled and we have four auction winners who will get their chance to play for them too.
"It’s really a day which I want to be very family-orientated. That’s what this club is all about.
"The Clach under-13s will be providing a guard of honour, while the youth development players will be involved too."
Morrison, a Highland League and Cup double winner in 2003-04, explained why he’s taken the decision to hang up his boots as the club looks to reshape and improve on last season’s 14th-placed finish.
Manager Iain Polworth will again aim to add to the quality, while at boardroom level, a new chairman could come in to replace Dennis Bridgeford, who stepped down due to work commitments.
Captain Morrison says the time was right to call it a day after a memorable career at Grant Street.
He explained: "I want to give the youths a chance. I don’t want to take a contract when I’m not getting any younger. I look back at what we’ve gone through, from being in administration to coming back and winning the league and cup. I’ve been top scorer in the Highland League and player of the year, so I look back fondly at the highlights.
"Hopefully, the club can get a new chairman in and the manager can strengthen to make the club go back on the up. I don’t want to go to another club and play against Clach, I would find it too hard and I am not too keen to play amateur football. I will be involved if I’m asked, but my work is largely Aberdeen-based right now, so it’s a case of wait and see.
"As for Sunday, it should be a cracking day and it should be an interesting game.
"I know that many of these Rangers players keep themselves fit. Marco Negri has been training two months to be in good shape for this game, so we will see how it goes. But what a chance it is for people in Inverness to see these legends."
*** Tickets have been selling well from the Inverness Trophy Centre and the Innes Bar and can also be snapped up from Grant Street Park between 9.30-12.30pm on Saturday. For more information about the tickets, which cost £10, email info@gmtestimonial.co.uk
