Gorkss Puts In Commendable Display

Rangers defender Kaspars Gorkss yesterday played for Latvia in their narrow 2-1 defeat against Switzerland in St. Gallen.

Gorkss lined up in the centre of defence alongside Deniss Ivanovs in the absence of former Arsenal central defender Igors Stepanovs as Latvia sought to get their campaign back on track.

After a stout defensive display Latvia went into the break level at 0-0, but it wasn`t long after half time before last years European Championship hosts had the lead. Dortmund striker Alexander Frei handed Switzerland the advantage.

The visitors were reduced to ten men as Juris Laizans saw red after two bookable offences - but this didn`t deter the visitors from sensationally equalising. Deniss Ivanovs dispatched a headed set-piece to haul Latvia level.

But in a whirlwind few minutes Switzerland re-took the lead. Blaise Nkufo of Steve McLaren`s FC Twente, scored in a carbon copy of Latvia`s goal as he nodded home from a well-placed free kick.

Latvian journalist Edmunds Novickis of sports website esports.lv spoke exclusively to Vital QPR:

"Gorkss played together with Ivanovs and it was excellent their performance. Latvia conceded two goals but it should be taken in account that Switzerland attacked all 90 minutes.

"For the first goal Ivanovs made a small mistake, he blocked a weak shot and the ball went to Aleksander Frei in a good position. For the second, Gorkss was near although main mistake was from goalkeeper Andris Vanins who left his box and didn't get to the ball.

"I would say that goalkeeper Vanins and central defenders Gorkss and Ivanovs were our best players along with Derby County forward Andrejs Pereplotkins."

Kaspars Gorkss himself stated:

"I don't think that red card of Juris Laizāns influenced us much. I think we just need to believe that we can beat teams like Switzerland.

"We just had a lack of believing in our power - we need to play more aggressive and with more confidence. Unfortunately we didn't hold 1-1.

"Savcenkovs [debutant - played as a right wingback] put in a good performance. We will start to think about Israel (Wednesday) tomorrow. We will analyse that match and will think what to improve. Supporters always help so I hope there will be full stadium in Riga. '

Kaspars will be in action again on Wednesday night as mentioned in Latvia`s crucial game against Israel in Riga on Wednesday.

This may put pay to his chances to play for Rangers on Saturday with Damion Stewart, Fitz Hall and Matthew Connolly seemingly preferred to the R`s summer addition from Blackpool.

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