Football: Ferguson in line to quell Veron

IAN FERGUSON has been given the daunting task of man-marking the Argentinian, Juan Veron, as Rangers

attempt to reach the quarter-finals of the Uefa Cup in Italy today. The 31-year-old midfielder, with 10 years service at Ibrox under his belt, will try and nullify the Parma player who set up Abel Balbo's goal in the 1-1 draw at Ibrox a fortnight ago - and the Rangers manager, Dick Advocaat, is well aware of the danger he poses going into this third-round second-leg match.

Ferguson has spent most of this season on the bench in the Premier League, but has thrived when given his chance in Europe. Advocaat knows that the player's ball-winning skills and ability to retain possession under pressure could be vital at the Tardini stadium.

The Dutchman will also employ two strikers, certainly Rod Wallace and probably Gordon Durie, as Stephane Guivarc'h (ineligible) and Jonatan Johansson (hamstring injury) are both unavailable.

Ferguson's recall to the starting line-up - he was on the bench against Dunfermline on Saturday - will probably mean demotion for Jorg Albertz.

The Italian striker Enrico Chiesa, who missed the first leg because of injury, looks likely to replace Balbo in Parma' starting line-up.