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IAN DURRANT is desperate for Rangers to be crowned SPL champions on Sunday - so he can make up for missing out on the celebrations at Tannadice in 1989.

The Ibrox club won the first title of their legendary nine-in-a-row era with a 1-0 triumph over Dundee United on Tayside 20 years ago.

However, their talented young midfielder was thousands of miles away in the United States when his team-mates were popping the champagne corks.

Durrant was in Colorado at the clinic of the world-renowned surgeon Dr Richard Steadman for an operation which would ultimately save his football career.

The boyhood Gers fan had suffered a horrendous knee injury after an infamous tackle by Aberdeen player Neil Simpson in October of the previous year.

The then 21-year-old, who is now a respected first team coach at Murray Park, recalled how his big-hearted pals - and former manager Graeme Souness - did not forget about him amid the euphoria.

He revealed: "I was at Tannadice the last time Rangers won the title there back in 1997 when Brian Laudrup scored to clinch nine-in-a-row.

"But the time before that when Trevor Steven scored the header to clinch the league in 1989, I was in America actually getting an operation on my knee.

"But I got phone calls immediately after the game from the present gaffer Walter Smith as well as Mr Souness and some players. It was great of them to think of me."

Durrant, who has been a trusted right hand man for manager Smith and his assistant Ally McCoist in recent seasons, will be a nervous spectator at Tannadice this weekend.

However, the player who made nearly 300 appearances for the Govan club has no doubt Rangers will rise to the occasion and get the victory they desperately need.

He agreed: "We are going there to write history again. It is in our hands and we are going to go over there and hopefully do the business.

"Yes, it will be nervous, but it is only nerves for the boys to do well, but I'm sure they will do it. Once the game kicks off their nerves will go away and they will give a good account of themselves.

"They will get the working clothes on and get the job done. The boys are champing at the bit. It has been our job this week to keep them focused and do the right things.

"It is a big ask, but it is in our hands. We will go there with a full squad and a positive attitude and I am sure we will have a very vocal backing. I am sure the boys will be well up for it. If we don't win up to Tannadice and win, we don't deserve to win the title. Coisty keeps going on about this all the time.

"To win the league you have to go to places like Fir Park, Tannadice, Tynecastle, difficult places to go, and win. They are wee, tight parks and they have great atmosphere. But you win leagues at these places."

Durrant works with the first team squad on a daily basis at their multi-million pound Milngavie training complex and has been impressed with how they have performed this season.

And he believes the return of Barry Ferguson last weekend in the vital 2-1 win against Aberdeen at Ibrox has given the players a timely lift ahead of their all-important final fixture.

He reflected: "This is the best scenario we could have hoped for given that we were seven points behind at one stage earlier this season. It is down to the players.

"Their backs were up against the wall and they have dug deep to get into this position. They have shown great resilience. Kris Boyd has been scoring goals and Pedro Mendes, Steven Davis and Davie Weir have all been fantastic. It has been a case of everybody fighting for the squad. A lot of people don't realise how young this squad is."

He added: "Getting Barry back at this stage is great as well. It has been well documented what has happened to him. But that is behind us now. Barry is fit, eager to play and that can only be a boost for Rangers."

Speaking to Rangers TV, Durrant continued: "Craig Levein's team have been top drawer against the Old Firm this season in terms of how they have played and in their results so we know it is going to be a hard game."