EVEN a slice of Old Firm experience had not prepared Claudio Reyna for the passion and anger that boiled over during Sunderland's pre-season tour.

A man who grew up in the tranquility of the Garden State, Reyna was plucked from the comfort of the Bundesliga by Rangers and pitched into Britain's most explosive derby.

Yet the simmering tension that hangs heavy over games between the two Glasgow giants was on a different level to the animosity that Reyna and his colleagues felt in Belgium.

It was there that Sunderland were met with boos and malevolent abuse from their supporters; where Peter Reid, who also suffered prolonged chants calling for him to go, had a bottle of water hurled over him by an outraged fan.

And it was where Reyna not only learned just how important Sunderand AFC are to their fans, but also where he believes their frustration went too far.

Sunderland's pre-season tour included visits to Amiens in France, Antwerp and Gent in Belgium, and Seville in Spain.

They lost a few games; they didn't play particularly well. Kevin Kilbane made a V-sign at his own fans; he admits ruefully that he shouldn't have done that.

But just as Sunderland were not guaranteed a European place when they sat proudly in second place in January 2001, so a few friendly defeats this summer do not place a great big 'R' for relegation next to their name in the league table.

It is a message Reyna hopes the fans, who will flock across the Pennines en masse today for Act I of their Premiership season at Blackburn Rovers, will take note of.

"Every experienced player has ups and downs, but it's unfair to receive criticism in pre-season games. We haven't even started the season yet," he told Northern Echo Sport.

"What has happened hasn't been right but it's something the players can't control.

"We respect the fans' opinions; they come out and watch us, and they support us through good and bad times.

"But it's important that, if possible, they encourage us. The more booing and other negative things we hear towards the players or manager won't help the cause.

"A positive approach from the entire club would be more helpful."

Hear hear. One cannot remember a set of supporters embracing a new season with such dread.

Reid admits he needs another striker - as does any club that scores just 29 goals in a league season - and he is taking steps towards remedying the problem.

Reyna, too, acknowledges that fresh blood was needed to haul Sunderland clear of the maelstrom that almost cost them their Premiership lives in May.

But do not condemn the Black Cats solely on the evidence of their ill-fated European jaunt, pleads the midfielder; reserve judgment until after the team has knitted together.

"This summer has been up and down at times but overall it's been good.

"We're bringing in some players now, and the spirit and atmosphere is great," he said.

"Pre-season doesn't really mean much; the results don't mean anything.

"But it was encouraging that we improved along the way and it's getting better every day in training.

"We need to get the season going to see where we need to get better and identify where we need to improve. The right players are here and now we need to figure out the best way we can play."

Reyna, 29, was born in New Jersey - known as the Garden State in America - and is among the best players ever to have been produced by the "soccer" nation.

The first American to captain a major European club when he skippered Wolfsburg in 1999, Rangers brought him to Britain towards the end of the last Millennium.

Two impressive years there convinced Reid to part with £4.5m, a record fee both for Sunderland and for a United States player.

It is a decision that the Stadium of Light manager feels has been fully vindicated.

"I thought Claudio was fantastic at the World Cup. You see what a quality player he is when you work with him, and he showed that on the world stage," said Reid.

"He was played out of position against Germany - he's best in central midfield - but he was superb. Besides having great ability, he's also a good pro."

Reyna, who has 92 caps, and goalkeeper Brad Friedel - who will play for Blackburn this afternoon - led the unheralded United States team to within an ace of the semi-finals.

They outplayed Germany in their last-eight encounter, only to flounder against the greater savvy and nous of Rudi Voller's team.

But the experience has only brought Reyna on as a player and while one or two Sunderland players might be downbeat after a turbulent summer, he is still buoyant.

And the respect between Reid and his midfield general is mutual. The manager brought him to England; now Reyna wants to help keep him in a job.

"We had a very good summer. The team overachieved and we were unlucky not to get into the semi-finals," he added.

"But the Premiership is something to look forward to, and hopefully we'll improve on last year and play better football.

"You always want to do well for yourself, for your teammates and of course for the manager.

"We don't really sense the pressure.

"The guys get on with their job, and the manager has always deflected the blame from the players and taken it more.

"All the players can see that, and it's up to us to do our job and to continue doing our work.

"We're trying to put the pieces together but it doesn't happen overnight.

"Even the likes of Manchester United didn't get success overnight.

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