Spot On

[ian1964 10,720]

By David Melvin

 

STEVEN DAVIS has praised John Fleck for having the confidence to make a vital breakthrough for Rangers after the teenage star opened the scoring against Dundee United from the penalty spot.

 

John FleckThe Northern Ireland international admits he expected the 17-year-old to pass on the penalty taking responsibility after he was fouled by Mihael Kovacevic.

 

But the talented midfielder refused to surrender the ball and confidently slotted it past Lukas Zaluska to rapturous applause from the Ibrox crowd.

 

Davis said: "He showed again today what he's all about. It took a lot of bottle to take the penalty in a match that was so important for us to win.

 

"But he was obviously brought down for the penalty and he was more than confident of taking it and he stroked it away well.

 

John Fleck, Rangers scores a penalty for Rangers"It was a key moment in the game and he won it for us, but you maybe expect him to get the ball and hand it on to one of the more senior players.

 

"But he grabbed it with both hands and obviously wanted it and he took it well so we're delighted that he's got his first goal for the club and hopefully he can build on that again."

 

It was a crucial moment for the home side after they had been frustrated by a dogged United team for 76 minutes.

 

Davis was relieved to get another important three points against difficult opponents with the small matter of an Old Firm game to come in a little over two weeks time.

 

Steven DavisHe added: "We've seen that in most home games teams come and are compact and make it difficult for us and that's why that first goal is so important.

 

"It took a penalty to get there today but once we scored that the lads relaxed a little bit and started to play some good stuff after that.

 

"I've said it before, but all we can do is concentrate on ourselves and keep picking up wins.

 

"We've done that today and it puts a little bit of pressure on Celtic but they'll be looking to go and win too ahead of the Old Firm game in a couple of weeks."

 

Davis was also delighted to see his compatriot Kyle Lafferty return to action and grab a late goal to put a more comfortable look on the scoreline.

 

Kyle Lafferty, Rangers celebrates scoringLafferty finished comfortably in to an open goal in injury time having replaced Kris Boyd shortly before Fleck's opening goal.

 

And Davis was impressed with the way his international team mate's introduction changed the game.

 

He said: "I think he made an impact when he came on today and to get a goal was an added bonus.

 

"He's been out for a little while with some niggling injuries so it's good to have him back after Nacho picked up a knock."

[Big Spliff 0]

Really impressed that JF had barely hit the ground yesterday before he was up and grabbing the ball to take the penalty, realising that Boyd was off.

 

Hopefully a new hero made his first real mark yeaterday!