Norris Cole 0 Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 Kenny Miller forced to sit out Easter Road duel By Graham 'B.O. Bhoy' Spiers Rangers will be without Kenny Miller against Hibernian at Easter Road tonight after the striker suffered yet another recurrence yesterday of the trapped nerve that has intermittently blighted his season. Miller, who may have to see a specialist over the summer about the injury, has complained of feeling further discomfort in the wake of Saturdayââ?¬â?¢s Old Firm match at Ibrox. Walter Smith hopes that he will be available for Saturdayââ?¬â?¢s game against Aberdeen at Ibrox, but is resigned to resting Miller in the meantime. ââ?¬Å?Kenny has had a recurrence of his problem, but Iââ?¬â?¢m hopeful that, if he gets a couple of daysââ?¬â?¢ rest, he will be OK to face Aberdeen,ââ?¬Â Smith said. ââ?¬Å?I was hoping Kenny might go injury-free until the end of the season, but he has been feeling the soreness again in that area, so it looks like he will miss out against Hibs. Itââ?¬â?¢s a nerve problem. Heââ?¬â?¢s on medication, which will keep him going until the end of the season, but that is not going to solve the problem. He will have to get it looked at in the close season, and hopefully they can do something about it. Sasa Papac will also be out for Rangers, but could return against Aberdeen. Smith confessed that he was ââ?¬Å?pleasantly surprisedââ?¬Â by Rangersââ?¬â?¢ recent run in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League ââ?¬â? they have won six games in a row and are aiming to make it nine ââ?¬â? though he cautioned against the notion of both halves of the Old Firm being able to close out the season by claiming a full 18 points between them. ââ?¬Å?We are in the midst of a decent run of results and we just have to make sure we keep it going,ââ?¬Â Smith said. ââ?¬Å?Iââ?¬â?¢m pleasantly surprised overall. I think the team has got the capability, but what has surprised me a wee bit is that this run has come at a time when weââ?¬â?¢ve had injuries and suspensions and other things to deal with. ââ?¬Å?You never know what will happen. Iââ?¬â?¢ve said before that the Old Firm game tends to grab everyoneââ?¬â?¢s attention, and that it is thought that ââ?¬â? win, lose or draw an Old Firm game ââ?¬â? youââ?¬â?¢ll go on and win all the rest of the matches. But itââ?¬â?¢s not like that. ââ?¬Å?There is the possibility that both Rangers and Celtic could drop points over these next three games. I think this season has shown that we have to do well to win the other games. At Rangers we have already found out to our cost that the other teams in Scotland are capable of winning this season.ââ?¬Â Mixu Paatelainen, the Hibernian manager, is hoping to put that sort of thinking to the test tonight. He wants his side to play on any nerves in the Rangers squad as he targets the wins over the Old Firm that would result in them playing a significant role in the destination of the title ââ?¬â? they also play Celtic on Sunday. The Finn is eager to see how Rangers react if things do not go all their own way against a Hibernian team who, despite pushing them close in the recent 3-2 defeat, have failed to take a single point from their opponents this season. ââ?¬Å?Rangers are full of confidence and they know if they win their remaining matches they are champions,ââ?¬Â Paatelainen said. ââ?¬Å?They are determined and will make matches very difficult for their opponents, no doubt, as always. ââ?¬Å?But a draw is not a good result for Rangers, so the longer the game goes, if we can defend well, they will get anxious and a little bit nervous and probably start forcing their passes a little bit. In that respect they could make it a little bit easier for us.ââ?¬Â http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/scotland/article6276313.ece 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankie 8,552 Posted May 13, 2009 Share Posted May 13, 2009 Shame as Miller has looked rather sharp of late. However, we've plenty in reserve so Velicka or Lafferty will be fine by me... 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazza_8 233 Posted May 13, 2009 Share Posted May 13, 2009 Am I bovvered? No great shakes that he's missing. We've done well without him, plaus, Lafferty is back in contention too. On a sidenote, Catherine Tate would get it! 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norris Cole 0 Posted May 13, 2009 Author Share Posted May 13, 2009 On a sidenote, Catherine Tate would get it! Face the wall and think about what you've just said. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankie 8,552 Posted May 13, 2009 Share Posted May 13, 2009 I'm with Norris... Catherine Tate? 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluedell 5,614 Posted May 13, 2009 Share Posted May 13, 2009 A huge loss. We will miss his pace. Gazza, FFS. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankie 8,552 Posted May 13, 2009 Share Posted May 13, 2009 Lafferty is probably the most likely replacement one would think. Although just back from a few weeks out, he showed before his latest injury that he has the pace and strength to make it awkward for defences. And he can score goals. However, Velicka has done OK of late so he'll also expect to play. Could prove one of the most important decisions of the evening. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon 0 Posted May 13, 2009 Share Posted May 13, 2009 I'd be happy with either Lafferty or Velicka but admit I would prefer Lafferty.... 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norris Cole 0 Posted May 13, 2009 Author Share Posted May 13, 2009 I'd be happy with either Lafferty or Velicka but admit I would prefer Lafferty.... Over Catherine Tate? 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon 0 Posted May 13, 2009 Share Posted May 13, 2009 Catherine Tate just sums up Gav's taste in women, this from the same guy that would love to shag Viv Windsor !!!! 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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