Roy Carroll roars on Rangers to sting Man Utd but there's one debate Old Trafford hero WON'T get involved in
Roy Carroll lived and breathed Champions League nights for Manchester United and Rangers.
So watching both now exist in the second tier of European competition is strange for the former Northern Ireland goalkeeper. But he insists tonight’s Europa League Battle of Britain is still absolutely nothing to be sniffed at. Carroll is adamant the cross border giants both belong in the top bracket. And he expects them to get back there. But before that the Windsor Park icon promises tonight’s Old Trafford clash will carry all the weight of a top level blockbuster. And it’s one the 47-year-old insists Rangers should go into full of belief that they can produce a seismic result.
The boyhood Rangers fan lived the dream for a six month spell at Ibrox under Walter Smith in 2007. Even playing second fiddle to Allan McGregor couldn’t spoil the magic of being involved in Champions League group stage clashes at the Nou Camp, Stuttgart Arena, in Lyon and of course Ibrox.
Carroll cherished those nights sitting on the bench for the team he grew up supporting in Enniskillen as much as the 10 Champions League appearances he made for Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson. Tonight he will tune in as a fan. And the former Premier League winner said: “It’s going to be a brilliant occasion. It’s European football. Okay not the Champions League but both clubs are still absolutely massive.
“I’ve supported Rangers since I was a young lad but even I didn't realise how big they were until I stepped inside the training ground and saw the facilities. And the fans… absolutely incredible. You can say that for both clubs and that’s why they will always be among the biggest.
"They're going through a difficult time at the moment but I hope and believe they'll be back sooner than later because big clubs like Rangers and Manchester United should be in that top level.
“I wouldn’t say it’s sad, it's just football. You see teams going up and down. I remember when I was playing for Wigan and Manchester City were in League 2, fighting the play-offs to get promoted against us. It’s incredible to think now.
“A lot of things are happening behind the scenes at both clubs. They're the things you need to settle before you can perform on the pitch. Rangers have done quite well in recent seasons in the Europa League. It's just about taking the next step, getting in the Champions League and performing at the highest level.
“They have to go down to Manchester with belief. No matter their league form, it’s a different kettle of fish playing in Europe. There's a lot of teams going to Old Trafford now and expecting to get something out of the game.
“United had a bad defeat at the weekend and I saw the comments the manager made about it maybe being the worst ever United team. He’s looking to get a response from his players. Everybody's watching what’s going on at United because of the money they spend. There’s probably more eyes on United but that doesn’t mean there’s not pressure on Rangers.
“It’s always there. When you're a player you want to have pressure and you want to go out and use it in the right way. That's the way we were brought up.”
Carroll made his Euro debut for United in a Champions League draw away to Lille in 2001. He would go on to make nine more appearances in the competition in the next four years.
A six-month stint at Ibrox after leaving West Ham in 2007 saw him sit on the bench as Gers crashed out the Champions League stage in agonising style with a final day defeat to Lyon at Ibrox. Smith’s side would go on to reach the final of the UEFA Cup that season but Carroll had moved on to Derby County. But Carroll said: “For a young boy from County Fermanagh, it's a dream come true. I didn't play much at Rangers but I was still part of the team. It was a fantastic side.
“You don’t ever forget going to Barcelona. But it’s the 3-0 win against Lyon in France that sticks out. They had unbelievable players like Benzema and Juninho. But our boys on the pitch really performed that night. Barry Ferguson, Lee McCulloch, the boys at the back, were outstanding.
“European nights are the pinnacle. My Euro debut was a 1-1 draw against Lille in the Champions League. It was one of the best nights of my life. More than anything I remember standing there with the Champions League theme tune blaring out before kick off. You go from sitting as a young boy watching it on TV and the next minute you're playing in it. It’s goosebumps stuff.”
Jack Butland could return from injury for Rangers against his old club while Liam Kelly will be hoping for a continued run in the team. But United’s Andre Onana is under pressure after another blunder in the 3-1 defeat to Brighton. But as a fully paid up member of the goalie’s union, don’t even try and ask Carroll to pick faults.
He said: “I’m not getting involved in that! Listen, the pressure is on them. I watched the Brighton game and Onana probably knows he needs to do a little bit better. It's not easy being a goalkeeper because if you make one mistake it's a nightmare.
“It’s going to be a great occasion. I’m a big Rangers fan. I really hope they get something out of the game.”
