Nikica Jelavic woes not down to transfer thoughts

[Guest superrcooper7]

THE sight of a disgruntled Nikica Jelavic trudging around the Ibrox turf was undoubtedly a source of concern for Rangers fans on Saturday.

 

For those with a glass half- empty mentality, the conclusion that the strikerâ??s thoughts were elsewhere was easily reached.

 

But, according to former Gers striker Billy Dodds, it is a desire to succeed and not leave that will be behind the Croatâ??s frustrations.

 

Jelavic has once again carried the weight of expectation on his shoulders this season and, with Steven Naismith sidelined for the rest of the SPL campaign, the onus on him to fire Rangers to four-in-a-row will only increase.

 

He netted his 12th goal of the season as Ally McCoistâ??s side toiled to a 2-1 win over Dunfermline at the weekend, but he cut a lone figure in attack as Gregg Wylde, Sone Aluko and Thomas Bendiksen attempted to provide support from midfield.

 

Jelavicâ??s goal tally may still be impressive, but the lack of verve and cutting edge in Rangersâ?? attacking play will surely be a worry for McCoist.

 

The champions have not scored from open play since the former Rapid Vienna hitmanâ??s superb header against Dundee United at Ibrox a month ago but Dodds insists the strikerâ??s head and heart are still in the right place.

 

â??I am not sure about Jelavic wanting to leave, to be honest,â? he said.

 

â??I donâ??t think his body language is that of someone wanting to leave the club, I think it is down to the fact that the team has not been creating chances for him.

 

â??That is why McCoist changed it and put in Aluko, Wylde and Bendiksen.

 

â??Rangersâ?? success this season has been at the back and not giving away goals but, after the Kilmarnock game last week and St Johnstone, where they never created many chances, it became time to change it.

 

â??They had to start creating chances, especially at home. They created a few chances on Saturday but, his penalty aside, Jelavic didnâ??t have much luck in front of goal.

 

â??I donâ??t think the body language is that of a man that wants to leave Rangers, it is just a frustration that there are not enough chances coming his way just now.â?

 

After seeing his side fire blanks against St Johnstone and Kilmarnock in recent weeks, and drop five precious points in the title race in the process, McCoist attempted to breathe fresh life into his attacking options for the visit of Jim McIntyreâ??s side.

 

As they went in search of a third goal, it was to a familiar face the Ibrox boss would turn to, however, with Kyle Lafferty replacing Bendiksen on the hour mark.

 

The Northern Irishman has chipped in with five goals already this term but, despite appearing to be the obvious man to help ease the burden on Jelavic, Dodds reckons the giant pairing is not necessarily a match made in heaven.

 

He said: â??Sometimes it has worked and they have played well together, but I donâ??t think Rangers have a great balance with Jelavic and Lafferty up front.

 

â??Lafferty is a versatile player, he is scoring goals in big games and winning over the fans and he puts in a hell of a shift.

 

â??But I donâ??t think he and Jelavic are a great partnership. Celticâ??s Gary Hooper and Anthony Stokes have a better balance. I think Rangers are still trying to find a strikeforce that really suits. It is just a case of finding a formula and getting them to click.

 

â??It is not always a case of Lafferty and Jelavic not working, the team werenâ??t creating for those two to work and when they are not, it that will lead to frustration for the strikers.â?

 

With Naismith ruled out for several months and David Healy once again struggling for fitness, McCoistâ??s attacking options are limited in the immediate future.

 

The opening of the transfer window in a few weeksâ?? time could provide the answer for the Gers boss, with another forward likely to be high on his list of priorities should he be given the green light to add to his squad by chairman Craig Whyte.

 

The champions turned down a £9million bid for Jelavic from npower Championship side Leicester in the summer and, with the Foxes linked with another move for the Croatian come the turn of the year, it could be who stays and not who arrives that will determine the Gersâ?? title fate.

 

Dodds said: â??If a big bid comes in, of course Rangers have to consider it. It is the same with every player â?? Allan McGregor, Steven Davis, Jelavic â?? they have no option due to the financial state of the club.

 

â??If that sort of money does come in, then Rangers are in no fit state to turn it down.â?

[Guest superrcooper7]

Has it not been obvious to everyone for a long time that we aren't creating enough chances for the strikers??

 

I thought, really believed that as a former striker, McCoist would have had this sorted long ago.

[Zappa 0]

The sooner Billy Dodds gets into management and stops being a pundit, the better off we'll all be!

[GovanAllan 0]

Well not wanting to be picky but he's had a couple chances laid on a plate for him in the last couple of games and he's missed both.

 

It will be a cold day in Hell when I take any notice of what turncoat rat Dodds has to say about any Rangers players.

[Guest Dutchy]

Even if it's not wanting to leave that's on Jelavic's mind, that still tell's me that the specualtion is indeed on his mind.

 

Strikers have bad periods, so lets hope this is Jelavic's bad phase, and hope that it doesn't last too long.

 

He's hardly going to get many offers if he's not scoring anyway.