Kenny Miller’s old pals have warned Pedro Caixinha not to drop their mate from today’s game against Celtic.
The veteran striker has cut a picture of misery this season and was quick to show his anger when he was substituted during the 2-2 draw at Partick Thistle.
On Monday Caixinha revealed that Miller had been told to spend time with his younger wife rather than be involved in the League Cup tie at Firhill.
There was no word about the 37-year-old during Thursday’s pre-match media conferences and no pictures published of the Ibrox stars training at the state-of-the-art Murray Park complex on Friday.
Rumours of a rift between Miller and the fifth best coach in Qatar have been rife since a new contract was agreed last season- ironically on the eve of a 5-1 hammering from Celtic.
Caixinha has almost eased aside the Mark Warburton faction at Ibrox but if he decides to sideline Miller he can expect to feel the force of the Real Rangers Men for betraying one of their own in favour of a Latin import.
In the Daily Record Barry Ferguson warns: “Let me get one thing straight. If it was me – if I was picking the Rangers team to face Celtic – then Kenny Miller’s name wouldn’t just be on my team-sheet. He’d be wearing the captain’s armband into the bargain.
“Look, I’ve known Kenny for years and he’d the be the first one to admit that his recent form has not been up to the standards he sets for himself.
“Those high standards are what have made him such a great player for the club but even though he’s not been at his best, his place in this game is an absolute no-brainer as far as I’m concerned. And I’ll tell you why.
“This is a guy who knows this fixture inside out. He gets the expectations and he has proved over the years that he is mentally strong enough to cope with the pressure of a Glasgow derby day.
“He doesn’t wilt in this environment, he thrives on it as his scoring record against Celtic underlines but it’s not just about his goals.
“It’s about his qualities as a leader and as a talisman. It’s about what he gives to the rest of the team just by being out there with them.”
Over in The Sun Kris Boyd is just as direct warning: “Will Kenny Miller play? That’s another interesting one because, for me, Caixinha must pick him if he wants to keep the ball in the final third.
“Without his movement and ability to hold it up, the ball is just going to keep coming back.
“It will be wave after wave of Celtic attacks and if that’s the way it turns out then, inevitably, Rangers will lose.
“And the supporters just won’t accept another humiliation like the last 5-1 defeat.”
Believe it or not Miller played in last season’s 5-1 defeat- ask him about Jozo.