Post by Stubo on Oct 5, 2017 16:25:03 GMT
WHEN it comes to a big stage, few Rangers players through the ages have enjoyed as much time on it as DaMarcus Beasley.
With 126 United States caps (and counting) to his name, he is the only male player from across the pond to have featured in four World Cups, and next summer, he could join a very elite list alongside just three other players from all around the globe to play in five.
It’s a quite remarkable record, and perhaps that lust for playing in the largest of games explains Beasley’s outstanding performance in the Stade Gerland that night ten years ago where he scored, directly set up one and had a part in another of Gers’ three strikes.
“For me, I always loved playing Champions League football,” explained Beasley, “and I was the same at PSV Eindhoven. Those nights are always so special, and for me, being involved in all three of the goals is something I’ll never forget, and I am just so glad we won and got the three points.
“Nobody from the media gave us a chance to win that game – nobody. But, as footballers you always believe in yourself, you put out a game-plan and try to perfect it, and that game went as planned for us.
“Sometimes in football you may not be the best team – you have to finish your chances and have a little bit of luck, and we had everything going for us that night in France. The boys played brilliantly from the back to the forward, and the chances we created, we made the most of and scored three good goals.
“I wouldn’t say it was unexpected – yes, we were playing the top team in France away from home, but we gave ourselves every chance to win that game.
“We started off really well getting the goal from the set-piece, and it continued on from there.
“I remember pretty vividly how the game went – they had a lot of the ball, but we created a lot more dangerous chances, and with the chances we created, we punished them for it.”
After delivering a terrific corner from the left for Lee McCulloch’s opening goal, it was Beasley’s pass out to Alan Hutton on the wing which allowed him to cross for Daniel Cousin’s second before, of course, he latched onto a sensational ball forward from Cousin for goal number three.
But for as much as Beasley impressed going forward that night, heading in the other direction too, he knew he would have to be on his guard.
“We all knew they were a good team and they would have the ball more than us,” he continued. “We knew we would be defending a lot in the game too, and none of those things were a surprise to us.
“We knew we had to be sound defensively, and for myself, yes, I was in an attacking role but I knew I had to help out defensively too.
“I played on the right that night and was helping Alan Hutton as much as I could, so that’s what it’s all about in those type of games – buckling down defensively and then when you get your chances, making the most of it.
“So that’s what we did and it was a great feeling being 3-0 up and knowing the job was almost done.”
Please click the link - rangers.co.uk
With 126 United States caps (and counting) to his name, he is the only male player from across the pond to have featured in four World Cups, and next summer, he could join a very elite list alongside just three other players from all around the globe to play in five.
It’s a quite remarkable record, and perhaps that lust for playing in the largest of games explains Beasley’s outstanding performance in the Stade Gerland that night ten years ago where he scored, directly set up one and had a part in another of Gers’ three strikes.
“For me, I always loved playing Champions League football,” explained Beasley, “and I was the same at PSV Eindhoven. Those nights are always so special, and for me, being involved in all three of the goals is something I’ll never forget, and I am just so glad we won and got the three points.
“Nobody from the media gave us a chance to win that game – nobody. But, as footballers you always believe in yourself, you put out a game-plan and try to perfect it, and that game went as planned for us.
“Sometimes in football you may not be the best team – you have to finish your chances and have a little bit of luck, and we had everything going for us that night in France. The boys played brilliantly from the back to the forward, and the chances we created, we made the most of and scored three good goals.
“I wouldn’t say it was unexpected – yes, we were playing the top team in France away from home, but we gave ourselves every chance to win that game.
“We started off really well getting the goal from the set-piece, and it continued on from there.
“I remember pretty vividly how the game went – they had a lot of the ball, but we created a lot more dangerous chances, and with the chances we created, we punished them for it.”
After delivering a terrific corner from the left for Lee McCulloch’s opening goal, it was Beasley’s pass out to Alan Hutton on the wing which allowed him to cross for Daniel Cousin’s second before, of course, he latched onto a sensational ball forward from Cousin for goal number three.
But for as much as Beasley impressed going forward that night, heading in the other direction too, he knew he would have to be on his guard.
“We all knew they were a good team and they would have the ball more than us,” he continued. “We knew we would be defending a lot in the game too, and none of those things were a surprise to us.
“We knew we had to be sound defensively, and for myself, yes, I was in an attacking role but I knew I had to help out defensively too.
“I played on the right that night and was helping Alan Hutton as much as I could, so that’s what it’s all about in those type of games – buckling down defensively and then when you get your chances, making the most of it.
“So that’s what we did and it was a great feeling being 3-0 up and knowing the job was almost done.”
Please click the link - rangers.co.uk
