- Neil Warnock backs Bojan Miovski to deliver decisive Rangers title run-in goals.
- Rangers target Luca Stephenson as Andreas Skov Olsen faces mounting criticism from former players.
- Dujon Sterling appears in court while Arran Kerr highlights loan progress at Stirling Albion and more…
Bojan Miovski backed by ex-boss
Neil Warnock has urged Rangers to keep faith with Bojan Miovski, insisting the striker has the instincts needed to deliver crucial goals in the title run in.
Speaking to the Daily Record, the former Aberdeen manager praised Miovski’s natural finishing ability.
“If you give Bojan Miovski opportunities, he’ll definitely take them,” he explained.
“He can finish. He has that instinct about him that all great strikers do.”
Warnock acknowledged flaws in the forward’s game.
“There are times when he goes missing in games, he loses concentration, and he isn’t the best at holding it up,” he explained.
He did, however, stress those shortcomings should not overshadow his value in front of goal.
Warnock believes patience with Miovski will be rewarded, pointing to the approach he took while managing him at Aberdeen.
“We just carried on because he was obviously the best player Aberdeen had by a mile, so we just persevered with him,” he said.
He revealed that the striker responds better to encouragement than criticism.
“You’d get more out of him if you put your arm around him, rather than give him a roasting.”
Comparing him to Rangers other attacking options, Warnock was emphatic.
“Compared to the other two Rangers have [Youssef Chermiti and Ryan Naderi], I’d say Bojan gives them the best chance of getting somebody to score the six, seven, eight goals they’ll need to get over the line.”
Danny Rohl may be forced to utilise the Macedonian forward in upcoming matches.
Naderi is set for an undisclosed spell on the sidelines.
Gers’ eye James Tavernier replacement
The 22-year-old is on loan in Scotland at Dundee United and played for the Terrors at Ibrox last week.
Reports suggest that Danny Rohl will look to recruit the right-back this summer from the Merseyside club.
However, Stephenson only recently signed a long-term contract extension at Anfield and would expect a fee for the player.
He has contributed five goals and five assists in 29 Scottish Premiership matches this term for United.
Rangers duo criticise Andreas Skov Olsen
Greg Stewart has questioned the contribution of Andreas Skov Olsen during Rangers’ Premiership title run-in, admitting he has been disappointed by the winger’s displays since arriving on loan from Wolfsburg.
Stewart said: “He’s not the player I thought he was. I’m struggling to think what he brings.”
He explained that he expected the Danish international to be “the one who gets us over the line” but instead has seen “such underwhelming performances from him.”
Stewart also criticised Skov Olsen’s lack of attacking threat.
“When a winger comes in for that price, he must have a trick, he must be quick, but I am struggling to see what he brings,” he explained.
Despite his criticism, Stewart believes there is still time for Skov Olsen to make an impact in the closing six game.
“There’s still time, and hopefully he can dig out a bit of magic from somewhere.”
The former Rangers forward also suggested Skov Olsen has been afforded patience he would not have received under Steven Gerrard, remarking: “When he’s played badly, he’s been allowed to play again. I wish I had that under Stevie.”
Stewart’s concerns were echoed by Andy Halliday.
“It’s just so frustrating to watch, literally every time he receives the ball, he turns back and passes it inside,” he said, lambasting the Dane.
“For me, from now, stop playing him.”
Dujon Sterling court appearance
Dujon Sterling appeared in court charged with dangerous driving and drink driving after allegedly driving at excessive speeds through Glasgow on January 4, including claims he lost control of his car and registered nearly three times the legal alcohol limit.
The Rangers full-back did not enter a plea on Wednesday, with the case adjourned until May 5, but he has continued to feature prominently for the club during the legal process, recently delivering an outstanding display against Dundee United capped by a headed goal.
Youngster praises Stevie Smith
Arran Kerr says his loan spell at Stirling Albion has accelerated his development.
The 18-year-old full-back is thriving in the physical demands of senior football after making 19 appearances this season.
Kerr admitted it was difficult breaking into the side initially, but said earning the manager’s trust and holding down his place has strengthened him mentally and tactically.
Kerr also credited former Rangers defender Steven Smith for playing a major role in his progress.
He has described the ex-left-back as a key mentor whose career path he hopes to replicate.
Having already trained with Rangers’ first team and been named on the bench for the Europa League tie against Porto, Kerr said the experience “made me want to get there even more,” underlining his ambition to follow Smith’s journey from academy prospect to first-team regular.
