Tav leads Gers back to summit
FROM WINNER FRONT
from a full-back. There was a period when he missed a couple and the penalties went away from him.
“I hit penalty kicks in my career, I also missed penalty kicks, but James’ technique is superb, it’s second to none.
“He has now regained that confidence to go and put his laces through it. He is one of the best penalty kick takers I have seen. I’m very impressed.”
Rangers are unbeaten in 13 games in all competitions this season and boast a perfect Ibrox record without conceding a goal in five home league games.
Asked about the derby day of reckoning, McAllister told Rangers TV: “We’ve got to go in a confident mood. We’ve played well there the last couple of times we’ve been there and the players have to be in a good position mentally.
“The problem is there’s a massive turnaround with international duty but it will be tough for both teams because Celtic are in a similar position.”
McAllister also played down injury fears over Borna Barisic, who was substituted, and Connor Goldson who appeared to be struggling towards the end for the crunch derby.
He said: “Borna took a blow just below his shin pad but it’s nothing serious, just some stud marks.
“Connor was feeling a bit of cramp but that’s not a problem either so everyone is okay and we hope everyone comes back healthy from the international break.”
McAllister admitted Rangers could have been better against County. He said: “The performance, I think we can do better. That’s pretty obvious.
“We know we can perform better but we got the three points. We were a wee bit bitty, we didn’t get into any rhythm. But the result is very good, another clean sheet here at Ibrox, and we’re still unbeaten.
“I felt from early in the game we weren’t really at it and by that I mean the intensity out of possession and winning the ball back.
“We didn’t create any rhythm and were unrecognisable early in the game. There was a reaction after half-time and we started the second half well but we got the three points.
“We’ve had a good run of results in the lead up to the international break – that’s five wins and five clean sheets in the league at Ibrox – so we can’t complain too much.”
Barker celebrated his 24th birthday in style by grabbing the clinching second goal.
The former Manchester City youngster’s strike was his first of the season and he said: “It is always good to get off the mark and it has taken me a little longer than I thought it would. To get a goal on my birthday is special and I am delighted.”
Barker admitted he is now settled off and on the park and ready to kick on.
He added: “I am happy now. It is not that I wasn’t happy last year, it was just that it was a difficult transition leaving my family and stuff. I am over that now, my family is with me and I just feel happier.
“It is now or never really. I want my career to elevate and the players that we have here are special.”
KEITH JACKSON
Absolutely. He was one of very few bright lights in the last double-header and the Israeli defenders won’t be looking forward to having to deal with him again.
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And, given that we toiled against Israel last month, how confident are you that Steve Clarke will get it right against them when it really matter in Thursday’s play-off?
It’s a fingers-crossed job. Fingers crossed that we can’t perform as badly as we did last time out. Fingers crossed that the players are now much more up to speed than they were a month ago. And fingers crossed that Clarke gets his tactics bang on after being badly bruised before.
Yes. Dykes was the major success story of the last two Scotland games and he did more than enough to keep his place.
Not confident. But hopeful. Israel were dangerous and it was an even game. It’ll be 50-50 again. Fingers crossed for Clarke and the troops.
Yes, and on top of that he has kicked on since then with a couple of goals for QPR in a decent start to the Championship season for the Londoners. He looks the best option for Steve Clarke.
It was hardly a display to give you optimism. But they will know what to expect and the only game that has mattered for some time now is this one so no excuses and with so much at stake Clarke’s men will surely get the job done against an Israel side with injury problems.
Dykes is the man in possession of the shirt and should get the nod. It’s good to see Lawrence Shankland back fit and in the goals so Steve Clarke has options again.
There are concerns as Clarke hasn’t yet found his preferred line-up or system. Scotland still has enough quality to see off Israel but it could be a nervy night.