Football: Rankine won't miss the holiday schedule; Training tough on families, but games are vital says midfielder COCA-COLA LEAGUE ONE WALSALL v TRANMERE ROVERS, TODAY, 3PM.

Byline: BY NICK HILTON Daily Post Staff

CHRISTMAS is a time when Mark Rankine can easily appreciate why there will be some benefits from hanging up his boots as a professional footballer.

The Tranmere Rovers midfielder plans for this season to be his last as a player.

So, for the first time in the best part of two decades, Rankine should be able to enjoy all of Christmas Day next year in the warmth of his family, instead of spending the morning running around a chilly training ground.

That's what he did yesterday in preparation for Tranmere's League One visit to Walsall this afternoon.

Rankine says: "Most people can let their hair down and enjoy themselves at Christmas and, of course, professional footballers can't do that.

"I feel mostly for the players with young families. They can't participate very much because they are training or travelling. I have a young family myself so I will absolutely not miss Christmas Day training next year."

The 36-year-old, with more than 700 senior games under his belt, does not begrudge the seasonal sacrifice, even though it is always unwelcome news in the home.

Rankine says: "This year the gaffer (Brian Little) told us we would not get a day off over the Christmas period because the games are coming so thick and fast.

"Going home to tell that to the family does not raise many smiles from them. And I can remember when I was younger I found it hard to step back from the celebrations while everyone else was enjoying themselves.

"But as you get older you realise this is part of the job. It is when your professionalism and your dedication comes in.

"We have to remember the fans are spending a lot of money coming to games over Christmas so it is right to give ourselves the best possible chance of winning for them.

"And I know I will miss the games at this time of year. There is a different feel to them, bigger crowds and a bigger atmosphere. I know I want to go to games next Christmas time when I've stopped playing."

Rankine smiles at the story related by Brentford manager Martin Allen last week. He gave his players Christmas Day off last season and even put a tree up in the training ground. Allen explained: "Then we lost every game over the holiday, so there is no Christmas Day off for us this year - and no Christmas tree."

Tranmere are in urgent need of a Christmas windfall of points as they face up to five League One games in 13 days of the holiday.

They find themselves perched precariously just above the relegation zone and only three points better off than bottom club Swindon after taking just two wins from the last 16 league games.

Last Saturday's 4-1 defeat to Brentford was a particularly painful blow because it punctured a bubble of optimism created by some improved performances over recent games.

Then to make matters worse Tranmere went out of the LDV Vans Trophy on Tuesday after losing a marathon penalty shootout 11-10 to promotion challengers Carlisle.

Rankine says: "We need a few wins from somewhere. We can't hide from the fact that this season has been disappointing and the defeat to Brentford was a blow.

"Before last Saturday I thought we had been playing some good football in games and creating chances - and we did so again in the first half against Brentford.

"But as I said to the lads after the game, it is goals that change matches no matter how well you are playing and when you are 4-1 down, human nature says it is going to be hard for you.

"Now it is important we don't let our heads drop too much. In football there is always another game. We need to put it right and get started at Walsall.

"It is of the greatest importance we get away from the bottom of the table as soon as we can."

Rankine's vast experience with hometown club Doncaster, Wolves, Preston and Sheffield United teaches him that Tranmere can't afford to believe they will climb out of trouble simply because the squad looks too strong to go down.

He says: "It is no good sitting here saying we have good players and we are a good team. There are a lot of good teams near the bottom of the division this season, including Bristol City, Rotherham and ourselves.

"We know we are capable of better. We have to produce it."

It's right to give ourselves the best possible chance of winning for the fans

MARK RANKINE

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Mark Rankine won't miss Christmas Day training, but knows the holiday programme is crucial for Tranmere's season

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Title Annotation:	Sport
Publication:	Daily Post (Liverpool, England)
Date:	Dec 26, 2005
Words:	791
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