Davis feels patience key to sustained success
STEVEN Davis is looking forward to Rangers reaping the rewards of their new-found patience.
Steven Gerrard’s Ibrox side were made to fight all the way to the 87th minute to grab the breakthrough at Livingston on Wednesday night.
Alfredo Morelos’s late winner sealed a 1-0 triumph that moved the champions-elect to within four points of the title.
The Ibrox side could be crowned champions as soon as Sunday if they can topple St Mirren on Saturday and Celtic slip up 24 hours later. Otherwise the Old Firm derby at Parkhead on March 21 will be circled as a chance to clinch the title.
Having being made to wait 10 years to get their hands back on Scotland’s biggest prize, Rangers have realised they cannot rush success.
And Davis reckons that patience has been the key component to this season’s impending triumph.
He told RangersTV: “That has been a huge positive for us this year. I think that comes with the confidence of getting results by doing it that way.
“We have certainly learned from the past and believe in our quality and we have to just continue to show that [patience] and even in games where there are spells where it is difficult, we just keep believing, keep doing the right things and more times than not we have found the answers this season.
“I think you know what you are going to get every time you come to Livingston.”
Morelos has taken his time to get going this season but the Colombian now has seven goals in his last 10 appearances after firing home the late clincher at the Tony Macaroni Arena.
Boss Gerrard was dismissed at half-time after marching on to Livi’s plastic pitch to confront referee John Beaton, who had booked Morelos for a dive despite him being clearly tripped by Lions keeper Max Stryjek.
But Davis praised the striker for keeping his cool after that first-half flashpoint.
He said: “He caused their centre-halves a lot of problems and everyone knows it was a penalty in the first half so for that to go against him, and for him to keep his nerve and keep doing the right things, I am delighted for him to get the winner at the end.”
JACK Hendry has confessed his Celtic frustrations under Neil Lennon – and insists it is “vital” he plays regularly wherever he ends up next season.
The 25-year-old has been starring on loan in Belgium with Champions League-chasing Oostende and is dreaming of a Scotland recall in time for the Euros this summer.
What happens beyond then, he admits, is up in the air following the departure of Lennon at Parkhead and the prospect of trying to impress a new manager back in Glasgow.
Hendry still has another year on his contract at Parkhead but, with a permanent switch to Oostende a possibility, his form has also attracted interest from Brighton, Sheffield United, Burnley, Wolves and Werder Bremen.
Having made just 15 league appearances for Celtic since joining in January 2018, the former Dundee stopper is relishing the game-time he is getting in Belgium, and knows his next move is crucial.
He said: “I’m open to anything that comes my way. It’s vital that, wherever I choose next season, I need to play every week to continue my development.
“If Celtic want to keep me, that’s something they would need to make a decision on.
“It’s frustrating that I was never given the opportunity to show what I could do [under Lennon]. The way I’m performing, I could have a real good impact and it’s not been nice seeing the way the season has panned out for them.”
Oostende currently sit fourth in Belgium’s Jupiler Pro League and Hendry has been a key performer in defence.
He added to the BBC: “The first time I played for Scotland [a 1-0 win over Hungary] was my proudest moment and I’m desperate to put on that jersey again. All I can do is maintain my standards to give the coach a difficult decision to make.
“Coming to Oostende, I’ve progressed as a player and person. I’ve really matured, grown up quite a lot. I’m playing against good opposition.”
ST JOHNSTONE striker Guy Melamed admitted to mixed feelings as the Perthshire side partied last weekend. The Israeli forward didn’t get onto the Hampden pitch but took out any lingering frustration on Hamilton as he netted a fine goal on Wednesday night.
“Obviously there were mixed emotions,” he said. “Every player wants to play – especially when it is a final. But I respect the coach and I respected his decision to put me on the bench. There were no hard feelings and I went out against Hamilton to give everything I could to help my team.
“Of course, I had different feelings but that’s part of football and I accept it. The main thing was we won the cup.”
The striker had a tough start to his St Johnstone career following his arrival at the club in October. Covid regulations meant selfisolating alone for a fortnight in a hotel and it took him time to find his feet at the club.
In recent games, however, the 28-year-old has showed flair and creativity and will be satisfied with his haul of five goals to date for Callum Davidson’s side.
“I had a tough beginning – playing in a different style than I am used to,” he said. “I am happy that I am scoring goals now and providing assists.”
Saints have only the slimmest of chances to nick a top-six place from St Mirren, who need just one win from their remaining two games.
“We know we need to beat Hibs on Saturday,” said Melamed. “It is all-in for us. We beat them in the semi-final so we will have confidence in ourselves.”