Goram backs Gers to thump Hoops

23 February 2010 17:02
Former Ibrox goalkeeper Goram believes Kris Boyd and Kenny Miller can take full advantage of their arch-rivals' underperforming and injury-hit defence to restore the Scottish champions' 10-point lead at the top of the table.[LNB]"It's a massive one for Celtic because they've got a few of their most important players either out or lacking match sharpness," Goram told Rangers' website, rangers.co.uk.[LNB]"When you're without your best performers in the middle of the pitch - be it your centre-halves, central midfielders or centre forwards - they're hard to replace.[LNB]"The wee guys on the outside can be replaced on the wings but the guys who are more involved aren't as easy to fill in for.[LNB]"At the moment, we've got a sound defence, a solid midfield and Kris Boyd and Kenny Miller are flying up front.[LNB]"I'm sure we can utilise that and give them a doing."[LNB]Sunday's game will be Rangers' first for 10 days after their match at St Johnstone on Saturday was postponed due to a frozen pitch.[LNB]Goram, who spent seven years at the club during the 'nine in a row' years, reckons that will work to their advantage.[LNB]He said: "The players are all fresh and I'm sure they'll play a bounce game at some point to keep their legs moving.[LNB]"Celtic have changed a few players but they're not getting the results they should be at the moment.[LNB]"They'll come to Ibrox and, to be honest, I think Rangers will be right to be disappointed if they get beaten.[LNB]"They went to Parkhead last month and even though they got an absolute battering, they still dug in and got a draw.[LNB]"If we can improve on that performance, I really fancy us at the weekend and, if we win, I think that will seal the championship."[LNB]Rangers, who were today staying silent on goalkeeper Allan McGregor's availability for the game after he was attacked in Glasgow city centre in the early hours of Sunday morning, remain on course for their first treble since Walter Smith returned to the club.[LNB]That is despite a background of financial turmoil at Ibrox and Goram hailed the way Smith has masterminded their current run of form.[LNB]"The way things have improved on the park in the last couple of months or so particularly sums the gaffer up," he said.[LNB]"Things weren't going so well when the team was in the Champions League earlier in the season but everyone has really picked up.[LNB]"The gaffer gets a lot of credit for being a good man manager but people sometimes forget he is a great coach too.[LNB]"He has had a few problems since he came back to Rangers to deal with but he has handled them all so well.[LNB]"The gaffer has plenty of experience of that sort of thing and he is able to get the best out of players as a result.[LNB]"Some players need a cuddle, others need a kick and his gift is knowing how to make players excel. He has done that exceptionally well recently.[LNB]"If you look at the situation we're in now, I don't think there's anyone who could have come to the club three years ago and do the same job the gaffer has done."[LNB][LNB][LNB]

Source: Team_Talk