Twenty’s plenty for Kenny take plaudits and
MARTYN Waghorn left a void in the Rangers forward line. Kenny Miller filled it. On Sunday, the pair were reunited in the Ibrox attack, and now they will look to fire Mark Warburton’s side to Scottish Cup glory at Hampden.
The knee injury sustained by Waghorn during the fifthround victory over Kilmarnock in February could have cost Rangers dear this season. Just seconds after slotting home his 28th goal of the campaign, the striker faced several weeks out of action.
In his absence, Miller has come to the fore and Warburton’s side have savoured success as they clinched the Championship crown, lifted the Petrofac Training Cup and saw off Old Firm rivals Celtic at the National Stadium.
The form of the 36-year-old has been key to Rangers in recent weeks, his performances and his influence softening the blow of Waghorn’s lengthy absence.
The Light Blues’ top scorer returned to the starting line-up against St Mirren at the weekend but it was Miller who found the target as he took his tally to 20 for the campaign.
It wasn’t enough to give Warburton’s side victory, but the hour that Waghorn was on the field was a reason to be optimistic as Rangers turn their attentions to the Hampden showdown against Hibernian on May 21.
Miller said: “I am delighted [to get 20 goals], obviously. Individual goals and any awards that lads get, it is more about the team.
“But, listen, you are always judged on goals as a striker so it was nice to hit that landmark. But, again, [I am] just disappointed it wasn’t in a win.
“It (Waghorn’s return) is another big positive to come out of the game. Not only did we get back to playing the way we try to play and at the tempo we try and play at, Waggy coming back and getting an hour under his belt is huge for us.
“We have missed him. He has been a huge part of our squad this year with the goals he has contributed and his performances.
“So we are delighted that he
We have missed him. He has been a huge part of our squad this year
got an hour under his belt and hopefully he will work hard in the next three weeks and be ready for the cup final.”
The return of Waghorn may have been a positive for boss Warburton in Paisley but it was a mixed afternoon overall as Rangers were denied at the death by Buddies.
After poor performances against Hibs, Alloa and Livingston, there was at least an improvement after the break from the champions, but a Miller header and Jason Holt strike wasn’t enough to prevent the winless run extending to a fourth game.
WARBURTON now has less than three weeks to ensure his side are up to speed for their biggest match of the season at Hampden, and Miller hopes they took a step in the right direction against the Saints.
He said: “We were far better against St Mirren than we were against Livingston.
“We were disappointed not to win but the way we went about our business was far better than the two previous games.
“I felt against St Mirren we came out and dominated in the second half and we created chance after chance.”
Taking two points from their last four Championship outings is hardly the finish to the campaign that Rangers had in mind but the bigger picture is more important at Ibrox.
It is all about the Scottish Cup now and how Rangers handle the gap in their schedule in the next three weeks as the build-up to Hampden continues.
The preparations will be markedly different for Hibs as they look to progress through three rounds of play-off games in a bid to join the Gers in the top flight next term.
The focus at Murray Park will be on themselves as Warburton’s side have a well-earned break before stretching their legs against Tottenham and counting down the days to the final.