Rangers manager Dick Advocaat is hoping France will strike a victory for positive football when meet Italy in the Euro 2000 final in Rotterdam tomorrow night.

The Dutchman fears that if Italy frustrate the French flair to lift the trophy, the world game will once again be thrust into negative mode.

Referring to Thursday's semi-final in which the Italians successfully stifled Holland, a clearly disappointed Advocaat said: 'The result wasn't good for football.'

Back at Ibrox yesterday to oversee preparations for the new season, the Rangers coach added: 'The Italians have gone back to the catenaccio defensive system and this is not good for the game. France and Holland both like to play attacking football and this is preferable and more attractive to anything Italy produced last night.

'I would hope that, when people remember this tournament, it will be for the kind of football that the Dutch and French play and that there will be no going back to negative football.

'I realise that the only thing in the end that counts in football is the result and Italy achieved that.'

Advocaat was a victim of Holland's dismal record in penalty shoot-outs during his stint as national coach.

Like Frank Rijkaard, who announced his resignation after the Dutch missed five penalties against Italy, he eventually felt restricted by international football.

'I wanted day to day club involvement and that's why I'm not surprised that Frank also has resigned,' he said.

'He wants to work on a daily basis with players and club football will be more fitting for him.'