Ask any long-serving Rangers fan, and the name Marco Negri will likely be met with a smile and a groan.
A smile for that first season at Ibrox, where the Italian striker started off with an incredible 23 goals in his first 10 games, followed by a groan for the following three campaigns, which the striker mostly spent in the reserves.
It all reportedly collapsed after Negri sustained an eye injury during a squash game with then teammate Sergio Porrini, and neither Walter Smith nor Dick Advocaat managed to bring the player back to reach the level of those first few months.
A loan back to Italy was organised with a six month spell with Vicenza in 1999, and the folk flop (because he’s not exactly a folk hero) eventually returned to his home country permanently on a free transfer when Bologna welcomed him in 2001.
He said: “It’s one of the most exciting games. It’s difficult to describe the emotions you feel in those moments. Before that game, the dressing room was preparing differently. This is one of those challenges that can mark a career.
“You don’t play for three points, but for a shirt that has many values and give you a great pressure”.
He might not have been the fantastic success many hoped he would be in the long-term after his incredible start with Rangers, but Negri clearly knew how important games against Celtic were.
