AFTER CAIXINHA, IT’S MILLER TIME3

Ibrox favourite scores brace against Hearts to prove the foolishness of departed Portuguese

IF Pedro Caixinha had somehow managed to bluff his way through another couple of games, Kenny Miller would have been allowed to spend next month here at BT Murrayfield watching the autumn rugby tests if he so fancied.

He certainly was not considered worthy by the stubborn Portuguese of weekend service for Rangers. Indeed, on the basis of Wednesday’s diktat to several of his fellow professionals, he was not welcome at all around the club.

If that command from Caixinha did not already make him look and sound ridiculous, then the man he exiled from his plans for the last four games has left no one in any doubt of the folly and farce afoot in his regime.

With two goals — his first of the Ladbrokes Premiership season — and a splendid assist for Josh Windass, Miller laid bare just how dangerous it would have been to have allowed Caixinha to carry on his calamitous reign for even one more day.

How far might they have slumped down the league table? How much more division and resentment might he have stirred in the first-team ranks with his treatment of one of the most respected players in the Scottish game?

Instead of such worries, there were high fives in the Rangers dressing room, ribbing from backroom staff to Graeme Murty for taking the acclaim of the travelling fans singing his name at the end, and probably no small amount of relief that they move on with a win from a malfunctioning era.

Miller took a month of his frustrations out on Hearts. On 84 minutes the 14,000 travelling fans were afforded the chance to give their thanks when he was replaced to an ovation by Jamie Barjonas.

And to think that Graeme Dorrans was called out by Caixinha for having the temerity to give Miller the armband when substituted during the last Old Firm game.

Murty had one day’s notice to prepare, but seemingly took one second to decide that Miller was a must to be back in the fold as captain. The caretaker found the veteran of huge value during his previous stint in charge, and recently had the striker join him on Under-20 duty when ostracised from the first-team picture.

Here, Miller started as skipper, supporting Alfredo Morelos, and was truly the heartbeat of a winning performance at the home of rugby.

He had making up to do on match fitness but so too did Rangers at the back. That is where Danny Wilson came in for his first start of the season and a first appearance since a substitute role against Hibs on August 12, partnering 19-year-old Ross McCrorie at the heart of the visiting defence.

Pairing Kyle Lafferty, isolated in midweek against Hibs, with Esmael Goncalves initially proved a shrewd move by Craig Levein against this makeshift Rangers centre-half combination with Bruno Alves suspended and Fabio Cardoso injured.

A bustling run from Goncalves caused all sorts of problems for McCrorie, forcing the teenager to wrestle with the jersey of the Hearts striker to drag him to a halt.

From the free-kick, Lafferty took deadly aim, arcing a stunning set-piece over the wall and Wes Foderingham to dip perfectly under the crossbar.

Lafferty swaggered away from the point of clinical contact without celebrating against his former club. His team-mates and fans made up for the lack of animation to greet his fifth league goal of the season.

The Northern Ireland striker was almost granted the chance to join further jubilation within a minute of the restart.

Again, Goncalves excelled. His clever reverse pass caught out the flat-footed Rangers defence to match the powerful run of Ross Callachan. Foderingham sprang out smartly to beat away the midfielder’s soft sidefoot attempt.

Hearts briefly gained succour from the momentum swing and operated on a confident stride.

However, the hosts enjoyed a let-off from the officials when Jon McLaughlin appeared to handle outside the area.

Then Rangers hauled themselves level as the Morelos-Miller partnership sparkled two minutes from the interval. Morelos fended off Christophe Berra with his back to goal to gather McCrorie’s long ball and, on the twist, tee up a through pass for a classic Miller move.

John Souttar read the intent but could not prevent Miller from pulling the trigger. The shot spun off the defender’s outstretched leg and looped over McLaughlin for one goal apiece.

Jamie Walker had operated at the top of a midfield diamond for Hearts until three minutes into the second half when pulling a hamstring in pursuit of Daniel Candeias.

Without the former Rangers signing target, who was replaced by David Milinkovic, Levein’s lads lost their way completely and the visitors seized a secure grip on the game. When Rangers assumed an advantage it was a route to goal well worn in the past couple of seasons and beautifully executed.

James Tavernier’s right foot conjured a cross to land perfectly for Miller, who had schemed room for himself, and a header that curled away from McLaughlin into the top corner.

Miller’s second goal prompted a double switch from Levein. Harry Cochrane’s third start at the age of 16 was ‘a game too much’ in a midfield stripped of its first choices. He and Lewis Moore were withdrawn.

While the Tynecastle youngsters have time and tutelage on their side to flourish as the season goes on, Rafal Grzelak should already know better. Left-back is a problem spot needing addressed in January, an area exposed as Rangers sewed up their road success.

Miller was 10 yards inside his own half when he released a superb pass with the outside of his right boot.

Windass was able to meet the ball in his stride and, thanks to the poor positional play by Grzelak, cut inside with ease on to his left boot. The low finish beat the suspect McLaughlin at his near post. The largest Hearts home crowd for a league game since 1975 started to file out.