McLeish welcomes Andrews back
Rangers manager Alex McLeish insists he has no qualms about selecting Marvin Andrews for the remainder of the season following his remarkable Old Firm comeback.
Andrews suffered cruciate knee ligament damage in a Bank of Scotland Premier League game against Dundee last month and was told by Ibrox medics he needed an operation to cure the problem.
However, the devout Christian and faith healer insisted he had no intention of going under the surgeon’s knife and claimed he could play on.
He defiantly played 45 minutes of a reserve games before spending a couple of weeks on the sidelines wearing a leg brace but the big defender was back in training last week ahead of Sunday‘s Old Firm game.
McLeish‘s gamble paid off when Andrews played for 83 minutes and looked comfortable in the heart of defence.
The Rangers manager had initially voiced concerns over the player’s reluctance to have surgery – but now sees no reason why his name should not be first on the team-sheet.
McLeish said: “Marvin showed on Sunday that he can handle it. Unless something untoward happens, he is available to me again.
“I felt he played well and I was pleased with him. He obviously tired near the end and that‘s why we had to take him off.
“He trained all week and put himself up for selection. Some people have criticised the big fellow for not getting an operation but it‘s his choice and you have to applaud his faith.”
McLeish‘s decision to give the nod to an injured player would have been a crushing blow to Bob Malcolm, the player who had replaced Andrews in the top team.
But the Rangers boss is adamant that Andrews will be his first pick again.
McLeish told the club‘s official website, www.rangers.co.uk: “He has now put himself back in pole position, where he was.
“Bob Malcolm was doing nothing wrong but Marvin gives us a wee bit more presence in different areas.”
However, McLeish could soon be heading for a club versus country row.
Andrews‘ contribution against Celtic did not go unnoticed by Trinidad & Tobago coach Leo Beenhakker.
Beenhakker is keen for the influential defender to play a part in crucial World Cup qualifiers in June followed by a three-week stint at the Gold Cup in the United States in July.
He said: “I was surprised but pleased to hear that Marvin played almost all the game for Rangers on Sunday.
“This week I will contact Jan Wouters [first team coach], who played for me with Holland, to find out about his fitness.
“It could depend how much Marvin plays for Rangers between now and the end of the season.”
