RANGERS have shown they know how to hold their nerve if the Clydesdale Bank Premier League race goes all the way to the final day of the season, according to midfielder Jamie Ness.
Just six games stand between the new leaders and a successful defence of their title, although Celtic are only a point behind and have a game in hand. The gap could extend to four points if Rangers beat Dundee United at Tannadice tomorrow night, albeit Celtic then play at Kilmarnock on Wednesday before Sunday’s Old Firm game at Ibrox. But Rangers’ third consecutive single-goal victory – this time a 2-1 win over St Mirren on Saturday – hinted at tensions around Ibrox because of the closeness of the contest at the top of the table.
According to Ness, the 20-year-old who broke into the team in December, however, the experience of previous championship winners such as David Weir, Steven Davis, Madjid Bougherra, Steven Whittaker and Allan McGregor will ensure that the side keeps its composure until the final day on May 15.
“We have players who have been there and done it,” the young midfielder said. “Hopefully that will stand us in good stead and allow us to grind out results like we did against St Mirren. I’m not sure the players feel nervous during the games at the moment. If we have to sit back in the last 10 minutes and grind out a result then we’ll do that. In the past few weeks we’ve shown that we are able to do that. If we got six 1-0 wins before the end of the season we’d be absolutely delighted.”
The senior players have been invaluable to Ness and fellow Murray Park graduates Gregg Wylde and Kyle Hutton, but Ness said the club’s young ones already had good habits. “The older players haven’t had to have any talk with us. All the young boys know the standards that are needed at Rangers. That’s drilled into you when you’re younger. We know we need to win every game. We’re all desperate to try to do that.
“I’m still just a young guy, still learning. Playing alongside a guy like Steven Davis can only help me. Steven has ability, work-rate and energy: everything makes him a really easy player to play with. He leads by example. He’s a fantastic player for us. And I thought Nikica Jelavic was absolutely outstanding against St Mirren. He led the line for us brilliantly. He’s a great ‘out’ ball to have because when you give him the ball he can do something out of nothing. It’s the same with El-Hadji Diouf. His movement makes it easy to find him.”
A groin injury cost Ness his place in the side for two months but he returned for the wins over Aberdeen and St Mirren. A slight calf problem led to manager Walter Smith taking him off near the end of Saturday’s match but he should be fine to face Dundee United. Bougherra is also expected to be fit while Steven Naismith will return after suspension.
“I just need to get my match sharpness back,” said Ness. “I feel I’m still a bit off the pace but hopefully with more games I’ll be able to get that back.”
Rangers face United only 17 days after losing 3-2 to them at Ibrox. “The important thing for the team now is to just keep winning,” said Ness. “With Dundee United being at home they’ll probably come out a bit more than they did at Ibrox. That could help us because it could be a more open game and we could hit them on the counter-attack.”
33’ 1-0 Kyle Lafferty’s shot is saved by Paul Gallacher but he looks set to score the rebound before Sasa Papac gets there first to poke it over the line.
38’ 1-1 The best goal of the game. Steven Thomson feeds it wide to Aaron Mooy and his cross is flashed past Allan McGregor into the net by centre-half Darren McGregor.
52’ 2-1 More fine play by Jelavic. He attacks John Potter and is brought down. Steven Whittaker steps up and buries the penalty.
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