De Boer wary of Alkmaar aces

By Claire Nash

Former Rangers FC star Ronald de Boer has warned his old team-mates to beware the threat of their UEFA Cup opponents AZ Alkmaar tonight.

Strict disciplinarian
The former FC Barcelona and Netherlands midfield player is well acquainted with Alkmaar manager Co Adriaanse. Although he never played under the Dutch disciplinarian, De Boer believes Alkmaar's players will cause visitors Rangers, who are level with their Dutch opponents at the top of Group F, a few problems.

Quality control
De Boer told uefa.com: "I would normally expect a Rangers team to beat Alkmaar but Alkmaar are playing incredibly well this season. I know Co Adriaanse, the Alkmaar coach, quite well. He is a great manager and although sometimes he seems to go a little too strong on discipline, he never skimps on quality and that is reflected in his current team at Alkmaar."

International recognition
Netherlands coach Marco van Basten has also taken notice of Adriaanse's impressive outfit and has called up four of Alkmaar's key players since taking over as the national coach. Danny Landzaat, Jan Kromkamp, Joris Mathijsen and veteran Barry van Galen have helped Alkmaar disturb the equilibrium of the Netherlands' big three - PSV Eindhoven, Feyenoord and AFC Ajax - as well as forcing themselves into Van Basten's thinking.

Tough customers
Rangers, meanwhile, are flying after going top of the Scottish Premier League. But De Boer, who retired from the Netherlands team last season and now plays for Al Rayyan in Qatar, warned: "You can't underestimate Alkmaar. They are playing some nice, attractive football so it will be very tough for Rangers to beat them.

Draw predicted
"I think a draw is possibly the most likely result in this match," he added. "If I was going to put some money on the game, that is what I would opt for. My heart still wants Rangers to win so hopefully they can pull off a win, which would be a very good achievement."

Ronald de Boer's personal website is at www.icons.com