CLYDE have landed football legend Brian Laudrup for a pre-season friendly against his former team Rangers. The 39-year-old winger will make a guest appearance for the First Division outfit in the game on Tuesday, July 22. Laudrup, an ex-Denmark international and AC Milan player, will line up once more alongside Jorg Albertz. The veteran midfielder, who came out of retirement to play for Clyde for the last two months of the 07/08 season, is expected to make his final appearance that evening at Broadwood. As well as Albertz and ex-team mate John Brown, Laudrup will also come face to face with another former Rangers player - Clyde goalkeeping coach Andy Goram. It is thought the Lanarkshire outfit will hope that the appearance by Laudrup, who is now involved with coaching and broadcasting in Denmark, will boost the attendance against a strong Rangers side. Clyde director John Ruddy said: "Brian has given us his word that he'll play, which is sure to whet the appetite of not only our fans but the Rangers support as well. "It's going to be an exciting occasion for everyone at Broadwood and Albertz has all-but given us his assurance he'll come back to play in the game too. "Hopefully we'll get a big crowd coming along for what should be a great night with a real touch of nostalgia for both sets of supporters." Meanwhile, manager John Brown continued his squad restructuring with the capture of midfielder Mark Brown last week. The 23-year-old arrives at Broadwood from Eddlewood Amateurs on a two-year deal, having kicked off his career at Rangers where he suffered a serious back injury that left him fearing he may be paralysed for life. Mark said: “Football is a crazy, crazy game and I've taken the difficult route back to being full-time. "I loved turning out for Eddlewood and it was great that my last game for them was the Scottish Amateur Cup Final. "We won 1-0 and I scored the goal, a spectacular effort that flew into the top corner. Now I can't wait to get started at Clyde. "I knew John from my Rangers days and jumped at the chance to train with Clyde. It was brilliant to get an offer to sign. "I know what it's like to have everything taken away from you so training full-time and playing football for a living is never something I'd take for granted. "I've had to pack in my job as a steel fixer on a building site but the decision on whether to stick with that or play football wasn't the most difficult I've ever had to make." Brown insists Clyde's aim will be to challenge for the title next term. He added: "Bomber is a top class coach. I've spoken to him at length about his plans for the new season and I'm certain he's going to able to improve the club's fortunes. "I'm sure there are exciting times ahead and I'm grateful to him for the chance to be a part of things.” On the Club’s website this week, manager John Brown said: “We've had to work hard to get players in but I think that's what you've got to do if you are a First Division club. Hopefully we'll be going into the season with a squad of about 22 or 23. “I am bringing players in that are hungry. I think they want to prove that they can go somewhere in their careers. When I arrived at the club I felt there was a staleness about some of the players, for whatever reason. “But I'll continue to pick away at the amateur and junior ranks, there are plenty of guys there that really want it. "If I see that they've got the enthusiasm and something we can work with then we will sign them." The club also secured a deal with coach Gary Bollan which now sees him appointed on a full-time basis as well as continuing his role as head of Youth Development. Elsewhere, the club have arranged a pre-season training camp in Norfolk, from July 11 to July 16 in which they will play Ridgeons First Division outfit Great Yarmouth Town on Saturday, July 12. The Bully Wee will then meet King's Lynn on Tuesday, July 15 in preparation for the forthcoming season. The squad will then return north to face Rutherglen Glencairn and take part in the official opening of New Southcroft Park on Saturday, July 19. |