Haris Vuckic: Eyeing an upset

On-loan Newcastle midfielder Haris Vuckic wants to rescue Rangers’ bid for promotion in a week where the club have continued their commitment to saving children around the world.

Vuckic could be described as ‘One in a Million’ for Rangers fans at the moment and now he’s doing his bit for a campaign of the same name being run by the Rangers Charity Foundation.

In a partnership with UNICEF UK for World Immunisation Week they plan to raise enough money to pay for one million vaccines to protect kids across the globe from deadly yet preventable diseases.

Thanks to the support of the fans the Foundation has donated £250,000, enough to pay for 800,000 vaccines and remain on track to reach their target by the end of the year.

Foundation manager Connal Cochrane said: “I am delighted Haris is helping us and is willing to support us in this fantastic cause. All players at the club play their part to promote the work of the Rangers Charity Foundation.”

The reach of the club through the media and the massive fan-base means it’s not just cash support we provide. Haris Vuckic on Rangers Charity Foundation

“We discussed with UNICEF what the best way to help vulnerable children is and where the help is needed most. They are the world’s largest provider of vaccines to children, and our target is to provide one million vaccines by the end of the partnership. We’re looking to provide that and it’s up to UNICEF where to provide the vaccines where they are needed most.”

“The reach of the club through the media and the massive fan-base means that it’s not just cash support we provide but it brings wider attention and greater exposure to causes like this by reaching more people.”

Vuckic might spend his spare time promoting good causes but the Slovenian international is desperate to crash the celebrations of runaway Championship winners Hearts in front of the Sky Sports cameras this weekend.

The Edinburgh club will be presented with the trophy after the game at Tynecastle on Saturday having already won the title back in March. The Gorgie club might only have pride to play for but Rangers are in desperate need of a win for a chance to unseat Hibernian in second place.

And Vuckic says his side are ready for whatever Hearts can throw at them. He said: “We want to win. We want to win the last game because we still have a chance to finish second. Of course it all depends on the Hibernian and Falkirk game.

'Motivated'

“It’s going to be difficult because everybody at Hearts is going to be very motivated, even the fans. The players will try to win the last game and be the deserved champions. But our focus is being second so we can avoid two extra games in the play-offs so our target is to spoil the party.

“We are confident and know what we can do to Hearts. That was the best game that I played in because Ibrox was full. That was amazing. The supporters were behind us, we scored second great goals. The sending off put us down a bit because we had to defend but before the sending off I had a feeling we could go on and score five, six, seven."

The 22 year-old attacking midfielder has been a revelation since arriving at Murray Park on transfer deadline day, scoring nine goals in 15 games in all competitions. Having been on the fringes during his time at Newcastle and being sent out on loan on two previous occasions, Vuckic is delighted to be playing at Ibrox despite all the off-field problems.

He said: “I know the changing room was a bit down because of all the things that happened in the past but I just wanted to be focused on the chance that I got. At Newcastle I didn’t have that chance to play first team football. I get this here and every time I go out I want to do my maximum”

“This is the first season I have been given the chance to play all the time. Every weekend I am in the first 11 getting the chance to play well and score goals and that’s always positive. And the fans like me which is good. It’s always positive when the fans appreciate you.”

Neither Rangers nor Newcastle can say for certain which league they will be playing in next season. But Vuckic admits he would like to extend his stay in Glasgow:

“It would be a very good option for me. But of course Newcastle have to say as well what their point of view is and I need to pick the best option for me. I still have one year with Newcastle and I still need to respect that. After the loan finishes I need to go back to Newcastle and see what’s going to happen in the summer transfer window”

Watch the action from the final day of the Championship season when Hearts take on Rangers Live on Sky Sports 5 on Saturday from 12 noon.

Further information on the Rangers Charity Foundation and its work can be found at www.rangerscharity.org.uk