Source: Team_Talk
Beasley: Festive fixtures are key
The winger has enjoyed a dramatic return to form, starting the last four matches and helping the Scottish champions return to the summit of the SPL.[LNB]And, according to the United States international, Rangers' aspirations of still being in pole position come the end of the season could depend greatly on results over a daunting festive programme as they prepare to face their three closest rivals.[LNB]Walter Smith's men travel to Hibernian on Sunday before welcoming Dundee United to Ibrox three days later. They then face Celtic in the first game of the New Year.[LNB]"It's a very crucial period," said Beasley.[LNB]"We are playing well and we have a lot of confidence going into the first game against Hibs. It's crucial to get nine points.[LNB]"It will be vital to the rest of the season. In this country, leading at the halfway point is a good thing and we want to be that team.[LNB]"We are four points clear now but we have to look beyond that and try to keep this streak going.[LNB]"We had a bad start to the season, because we weren't playing as well as we normally can, but we are still at the top of the league and now we are starting to gel and we are getting that fighting spirit back in the team.[LNB]"That's what we need going into the second half of the season."[LNB]Beasley scored a superb goal to set the ball rolling on a 3-0 win over Dundee United last Tuesday and followed that strike up with another against Motherwell, as Rangers cruised to a 6-1 win over the Steelmen at the weekend.[LNB]But he paid tribute to strike duo Kenny Miller and Kris Boyd for proving to be such a lethal combination in recent matches.[LNB]"The confidence is very high at the moment," he said.[LNB]"We have scored lots of goals in the last couple of games and you gain confidence from that.[LNB]"It feels good and we feel comfortable.[LNB]"Kenny and Boydy are scoring goals and they are two of the best players in the country. When they hit form and their confidence is high then we are going to be a good team going forward."[LNB]But, while admitting the strikers deserve plenty of credit, Beasley believes midfielder Steven Davis is the real unsung hero of the Rangers team - and has been since the day he joined the Glasgow giants.[LNB]He said: "He has been amazing. He has been our most steady and most consistent player throughout the time I've been here.[LNB]"His work ethic is unbelievable. From box to box, defending, going forward, creating chances - you can't ask for anything more than Davo.[LNB]"He is our engine, he is the guy who makes our team go. He is all over the pitch and I'm just happy he is in our team and not anyone else's."[LNB][LNB][LNB]
