Berg attacks McLeish over Dutch 'favour'

The Rangers defender, Henning Berg, has accused his manager, Alex McLeish, of pandering to the needs of his Ibrox predecessor, Dick Advocaat.

Berg was left watching from the bench as Rangers lost 2-0 to Dundee United at the weekend. However, the Norway international is convinced McLeish is playing the short-term signing Frank de Boer as a favour to Advocaat, the Netherlands manager, before Euro 2004.

"Just before the transfer window closed, we brought in Frank de Boer, even though a central defender was the last thing we needed. He [McLeish] said he had talked to Advocaat before doing it," Berg said.

"It is easy to see that two and two makes four, and I can understand that Advocaat wants to have De Boer fit for Euro 2004 in Portugal. I thought the most important thing for Rangers was to win, not to do Frank de Boer a favour.

"I don't mind competition, but when there are other reasons than the performances on the pitch, it is just hopeless."