Only the Scottish Cup and Eurovision evades the Gers

It can be no surprise to see that Rangers were completely dominant at the PFA Scotland Awards last night. Mirroring the on-field dominance of the Ibrox side this season, Steven Davis, Danny Wilson and Walter Smith picked up the individual awards for Player, Young Player and Manager of the Season.

And if all that wasn’t enough, Madjid Bougherra picked up the award for goal of the season. This came for his slalom like solo effort against Dundee United at Ibrox in December 2009.

There can be very few arguments about the selection of Davis being the top player. It is an opinion this site has stated on many occasions and the readers comments appear to be in disagreement.

No offence to Davie Weir but his recent triumph in an end of season poll appeared to be more in deference to his age and ability to play every week as opposed to actual performances. Not to say he has had a bad season, far from it but Davis has pulled the strings effectively and consistently for Rangers.

Similarly, there is very little to argue about with the decision to give Walter Smith the top managerial award. Billy Reid and Derek McIness deserve praise and acknowledgment, as does Peter Houston for his work since the turn of the year but there has only been manager standing above the rest of the SPL bosses.

As for Danny Wilson, this one may be up for more debate but again, this is no slight on him. When Wilson has been thrust into the team he has performed well, sparking up rumours about a big move to the English Premier League but Scotland has a bunch of youngsters doing an okay job at their respective clubs, who could have been considered.

However, Rangers deserve their moment in the sun at the end of what has been a traumatic, trying and of course, triumphant season.

Will all three men be around for next season to try and pick up the awards again?

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Hard to argue with midfielders awards

Whilst there was some bemusement at Robbie Keane lifting the Celtic Player of the Year Award, there was no such confusion at the Rangers bash. Steven Davis walked away with not only the Player of the Year Award but also the Players Player award.

The goals of Kris Boyd and Kenny Miller have grabbed points and headlines but the Northern Irish international has been the driving force behind Rangers this season. From an early point in the campaign, Davis has led the way with assists for the SPL Champions and has recently chipped in with a few goals.

The loss of Barry Ferguson in the summer and Pedro Mendes for most of the first half of the campaign and then through his sale to Sporting Lisbon has not been noticed by the Ibrox faithful.

When you add in the fact that Kevin Thomson has been unavailable for much of the season, as has Maurice Edu, and Lee McCulloch has flitted in and out of the team and been deployed in various positions when selected, the consistency of Davis is even more noteworthy.

The player himself will tell you that individual awards mean nothing compared to the trophies won by the team but with Rangers being miles ahead of the domestic pack, being hailed as the team’s best player is high praise for Steven Davis and praise that is fully deserved.

Would you disagree with the award for Davis?

Do you think that Davie Weir was perhaps due of greater recognition? Should the goals of Kenny Miller or Kris Boyd have grabbed them the award? Perhaps the attacking full-back Steven Whittaker or the reliable full-back Sasa Papac could have been recognised as the top man in blue?

We’ve said that we think Davis was a worthy winner but what do you think?

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Bug strikes down Northern Irish midfielder

The absence of Madjid Bougherra, Kirk Broadfoot and Alan McGregor are all rather annoying for Rangers but all of these players can be replaced without too much damage to the team. The news that Steven Davis was sent home from the Rangers hotel would be a bigger loss to the Ibrox side.

We’ve said a few times on this site that the Northern Irish international is the man that makes Rangers tick and this has been backed up by the stats. All of the chat about goals for Rangers falls on Boyd, Miller and even Steven Whittaker but it is the assists of Steven Davis that give the goalscorer the opportunity to put the ball away.

Davis has still not been ruled out, bugs can sometimes pass as quickly as they come on but there is likely to be a great concern for Walter Smith and all at Ibrox. Obviously the decision to send the player home was as much for prevention sakes but it would likely deplete the energy levels of the player.

Nacho Novo would be the likely candidate to replace Davis and whilst the Spanish player is adored by the Ibrox crowd, he is not the player that Davis is.

Rangers should still have the upper hand with regards to the team that they can put on the park when compared to St Mirren but it may just be that the Paisley buddies will take some hope from the list of absences in the Rangers team.

If Davis misses out, will Rangers be affected?

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Midfielder the main man.

Oh well, we had better start building up to this one.

The biggest game since these two sides last clashed and until they meet again post-split, you all know the script for this Sunday.

Celtic really need to win to reignite their title push.

If they fail to do so, it is not as if the campaign is officially dead but a big bit of hope and optimism may slide away from the green and white faithful. Celtic can take hope from two good performances against Rangers this season.

Rangers will take strength from 4 points out of 6 from their rivals.

If any player underperforms, their team could be at risk. After all, you are only as strong as your weakest link. However, when it comes to influencing the flow and important matters, you are looking to a handful of players.

It is inevitable that goalscorers will be mentioned, goals win games. This means Kris Boyd and Robbie Keane will be at the front of people’s minds on Sunday. Can Boyd improve his dismal stats against Celtic or can Keano outgun him on his first showing?

We are going to look a bit deeper though for where we think the game might hinge.

Yes, for Rangers, the key man is likely to be Steven Davis. If he plays well, Rangers play well. Davis was quiet at Celtic Park in New Year but still appeared to be the player that got the game moving for Rangers.

Think back to last seasons post split match where Davis ran unchecked from midfield to slide home the winner at Ibrox. The Northern Irish international has been on a good goalscoring run of late but it is his assists that make him the tip to be the star man for the home side.

You would not be shocked to see a sturdy Rangers team on Sunday. Four centre halfs across the back is common fare but even though Rangers best performances have came through wing play, four central midfielders may be lined up in order to stifle Celtic.

Avoiding defeat is acceptable to Rangers but Davis can still come to the fore and make a goal, even with a compact and competitive midfield around him.

The SPL website states that Davis has 11 assists so far, three more than the nearest player, Celtic’s Aiden McGeady. With Celtic set to play a centre half duo of a young age or returning from injury, the pressing and passing of Davis could get the ball beyond the hoops backline.

This is where the running of Miller and the poaching of Boyd could reap rewards for the home side.

These clashes are not games for predictions but if Davis hits form, it could take something special from Celtic to turn the game in their favour.

Do you expect Rangers to take all three points?

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The other Saints stand in the way of League Cup glory

In a snow storm, wearing white can add a level of camouflage but it was not as if Rangers had to use covert measures to beat St Johnstone. From the off, the Ibrox club were in control and Novo really should have opened the scoring but a good block on the line kept the game scoreless.

St Johnstone were holding the ball up front well, on loan Celtic striker Cilian Sheridan had an impressive touch on a tricky surface but their play lacked bite. Rangers looked far more dangerous and although Steve Davis failed to convert, the Northern Irish internationalist broke the deadlock minutes later.

A mix-up from the St Johnstone backline gave the midfielder the chance to volley home from a yard and from that point, it was hard to see past Rangers.

A 2-0 lead was secured by half-time when Lee McCulloch netted from outside the box. Graeme Smith in goals really should have done better but the margin was probably a fair reflection on chances created.

The second half never really got going until Rangers made a few subs which injected some life into the match, with Stevie Naismith at the centre of everything. Around the hour mark, Naismith was bundled over by Gary Irvine but the former Killie man hit a weak penalty, allowing Smith to palm away.

Rangers could have had another penalty later when Naismith again appeared to be pushed over but the player managed to flick the ball towards John Fleck, only to see the ball cleared for a corner.

Apart from ref Dougie McDonald being hit in the midriff with the ball – if it happened at school, the cries of “STINGER” would still be rolling around now – the game petered out and Rangers safely booked their passage to another final.

It is St Mirren versus Rangers in the League Cup final.

Is it yet another trophy for the Teds or can the Buddies cause an upset?

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Paisley night out becomes one of nights of the year for Gers fans

Most people feel a sense of relief or elation when they leave Paisley but the Rangers fans leaving St Mirren Park would have been higher than any one could have imagined. Not only did the SPL champions comfortably pick up three points against a team they lost to last season, they were able to laugh at nearest rivals Celtic, who lost at home.

Of course, some Rangers fans may have a concern about Hibs now being their nearest rivals!

Kenny Miller was in an offside position when the ball was played through but as the Scottish international was not interfering with play, Steve Davis was able to slot the ball home. A 2nd minute lead settled the nerves of the travelling support who then witnessed the first half descend into a scrappy game.

Lee McCulloch was unlucky to see his strike cannon off the bar and the Rangers fans will be looking to see a replay of an alleged penalty they could have had. Michael Higdon is dangerous in the oppositions box but he can be a liability in his own box.

At half-time, Rangers fans would have been happy with their own score and the 1-1 half-time score at Celtic Park would have lifted spirits further.

Rangers were almost punished in the second half when Billy Mehmet lept unchallenged in the box. Of course, as Rangers are an SPL side and not a lower league team, it was very unlikely that the inept Mehmet would find himself on the score and the Rangers fans breathed a sigh of relief.

Nacho Novo ensured he got his win bonus, which will make up for his £500 fine from the SFA, by getting Rangers second goal of the night and sealing all three points for the SPL leaders.

With news filtering through of Hibs late winner, the Rangers fans would be heading home elated.

Does this all but seal the title for Rangers?

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Player tops the assist chart

Pedro Mendes may be leaving Rangers for Sporting Lisbon soon but he is unlikely to be missed much. His club have hit top form and top spot in his absence and to be honest, the midfielder has been living off his strikes against Celtic and Partick Thistle.

However, losing Steven Davis would be a massive blow to the club and the management team must hope that no bids come in for the Northern Irish international. There was talk at the weekend that if Birmingham were unable to sign Aiden McGeady, Alex McLeish would go after Davis.

All the talk is about Rangers keeping Kris Boyd at the club and this is because the goals he scores.

However, as the table below suggests, the amount of assists that Davis provides should not be underestimated.

8 assists is an excellent return for a midfielder and although Kris Boyd gets the praise for putting the ball in the net, the set up play needs to be recognised too.

It is known that Davis was a Rangers fan as a child and is no doubt enjoying his time at the club. The player has English top flight experience but the move to Rangers has certainly moved his career on to a higher level.

The number of assists will likely catch the eye of bosses down South but Rangers would be advised to keep hold of the player…or they may find the goals of Boyd may dry up slightly.

Who has made the best assist you have seen?

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