PERHAPS the single biggest factor in Rangers’ impressive demolition of Motherwell at Fir Park yesterday afternoon was the sudden return to form of their veteran central midfielder Steven Davis.

The vastly-experienced Northern Ireland internationalist has, as a result of some decidedly underwhelming displays in the middle of the park, found himself warming the bench in recent weeks.

He was even left out of Steven Gerrard’s starting line-up in their important cinch Premiership matches against high-flying Hibernian and Hearts at Ibrox last month.

The Scottish champions failed to reach the heights they scaled last season, when they went undefeated in the top flight for the first time in 122 years and lifted the league trophy for the first time in 10 years, without him. 

Joe Aribo, Scott Arfield, Glen Kamara and John Lundstram certainly all had their moments in his absence. Rangers were, though, just not the same without Davis pulling the strings.

The 36-year-old was back to his very best yesterday. He dictated play from kick-off to the final whistle. It was arguably his best 90 minutes in the 2021/22 campaign to date and augurs well for his side, who moved four points clear as a result of the 6-1 triumph, going forward.

Yet, there is no point in a team dominating possession and creating scoring chances if the players who are on the field to convert them are not doing their job. That has been an issue at times this term too.

Alfredo Morelos passed up three opportunities to net, including one from just a few yards out, in the 1-1 draw with Hearts. Kemar Roofe failed to kill off the game after being played through by Juninho Bacuna in the same outing.

So the performance of Fashion Sakala against Motherwell – the Zambian forward who netted the first hat-trick of his professional career – was significant for Rangers as well.

   Sakala, who joined on a free transfer from Belgian club Oostende in the summer, has taken time to settle in this country. He was on target just once, against Motherwell at home in September, in his first 13 appearances.

Gerrard and his coaching staff have sensed an improvement in the striker’s sharpness during training at Auchenhowie in the past fortnight and handed him a start ahead of Roofe yesterday.

He justified their selection and then some. His goals were all of the highest quality, but the third, when he threw himself bravely at a Davis cross and volleyed beyond Liam Kelly was the pick of the bunch. 

It was little wonder that Sakala’s manager was grinning from ear to ear afterwards; he now has three potent options in attack.

The African forward’s contribution to a win that sent Rangers four points clear of their city rivals Celtic at the head of the table will provoke a reaction in Morelos and Roofe as well. That is no bad thing.

Morelos responded to the off day he had against Hearts in some style. He nodded home a first-half winner against St Mirren away to take his tally in this country to 100. He netted a header against Aberdeen at home last week.

But he has not been at his brilliant best either this term. He has only played well in fits and starts. The same can be said of Roofe. Having fresh competition for their places should ensure they do not allow their standards to dip.

Gerrard, whose team take on Brondby in Denmark in the Europa League on Thursday evening, is hoping to welcome back Ryan Jack and Ryan Kent from injury in the not-to-distant future.  

Rangers would, then, appear to be well placed to put their fluctuating early-season form behind them and step up their efforts domestically and on the continent.

 

AND ANOTHER THING

IT is fair to say that excitement is growing among members of the Tartan Army about Scotland’s prospects of qualifying for the Qatar 2022 finals next year.

The national team is on a four game winning run – Moldova, Austria, Israel and the Faroe Islands have all been overcome this season – and can secure second spot in Group F and a play-off place if they win their next match.

Defeating Moldova in the Zimbru Stadium in Chisinau on Friday week, though, will not be as straightforward as many supporters expect it to be.

Ryan Christie, who netted in the Euro 2020 play-off final against Serbia, and Lyndon Dykes, who has scored in his last four internationals, are both suspended.

Manager Steve Clarke, who will name his squad for the double header against Moldova and Denmark at Hampden tomorrow, will have to find a way to deal with the loss of two key men Scotland are to achieve their objective.

Stuart Armstrong, Ryan Fraser, Kevin Nisbet and David Turnbull will all come into his thinking. He has worked extensively with all four in the past and knows what they offer. But could he bring a new face into the fold?

When Christie and Dykes picked up bans in the late win over the Faroes last month, I suggested that Oliver McBurnie, Lawrence Shankland or Tony Watt could do a job for their country.

But Johnny Russell, the 14-times capped former Dundee United and Derby man, has scored 11 goals in his last 10 appearances for Kansas City Wizards and was last week named MLS Player of the Week.  

Clarke could do far worse than turn to the 31-year-old in his hour of need.