Miller may have earned semi-final spot – Murty

Posted Sunday, April 08, 2018 by PA

Graeme Murty says Kenny Miller has fired himself into contention for an Old Firm start at Hampden after grabbing his first goal in five months.

The veteran hitman was recalled for Rangers’ home clash with Dundee and repaid his boss’ faith by firing the goal which sent Gers on their way to a 4-0 win.

After three games without a win, the result was the perfect pick-me-up ahead of next weekend’s William Hill Scottish Cup showdown with Celtic.

Miller was making his first start since tearing his hamstring against Hibernian just before Christmas and made the most of his chance as he scored for the first time since bagging a double against Hearts back in October.

Now Murty admits the 38-year-old might just have played his way into his starting line-up for the semi-final clash with the Hoops.

He said: “Kenny’s put himself right in the frame for Celtic.

“He added to the team, scored a goal obviously and he knows what it takes to play for this football club.”

Gers hit the woodwork twice in the opening 20 minutes but flattered to deceive until Miller rifled them ahead on 38 minutes.

After failing to beat Celtic, Kilmarnock and Motherwell there was an understandable nervousness around Ibrox the longer the hosts went without adding to their lead.

But strikes from Alfredo Morelos, Jamie Murphy and Daniel Candeias ensured there was no further slip-up as Gers moved back above Aberdeen into second spot.

However, Murty was left raging with referee Greg Aitken after he booked Morelos for diving as the Colombian hitman tried to round keeper Elliot Parish late on.

The Dundee stopper had to be substituted after sustaining a facial injury during the incident, which only added to Murty’s anger.

“I think we all feel a degree of injustice about the booking,” said Murty, who will now have to do without his top scorer for Gers’ first post-split fixture due to a one-match ban.

“The goalkeeper has unfortunately felt the impact of his foot and how a referee can judge that a dive when the evidence is there for all to see is beyond me.

“I found it really hard to conduct myself as I believe a Rangers manager should. I’ve got 50,000 people wanting me to remonstrate with the referee and tell him exactly what I think.

“I believe a Rangers manager should behave with more decorum than that. But when the opportunity presents itself I’ll tell the people in charge in no uncertain terms that I thought the decision was ludicrous.”

Dundee are now perched just two points above the relegation spots but boss Neil McCann could not fault his players’ effort.

However, he let rip at Rangers defender Bruno Alves after the Portugal international scythed down Craig Wighton midway through the second period.

“I have to say that was a disgusting challenge from Alves – a joke,” he raged. “I’ve got a boy who’s just returning from a cruciate ligament and that’s a scissor action.

“It is almost thigh-high. It’s a yellow card but could easily have been red. It’s a shocking challenge.”