Kyle earns skipper's recognition

16 December 2012 15:50
Rangers captain Lee McCulloch praised Kevin Kyle for the way he led the line after he put Rangers in front during their win over Montrose. Kyle slotted home his third goal of the season from just inside the box midway through the second half of the Third Division clash to put Rangers 2-1 ahead. The former Kilmarnock and Hearts forward brought his team-mates into the game well and was often the focal point of Rangers' attacks during a close encounter at Links Park. McCulloch, who cancelled out Lloyd Young's 16th-minute opener from the penalty spot, told his club's official website: "I'm really pleased for Kev, he worked very hard and thoroughly deserved to get his goal. "He's got a physical presence, has a great touch and can get goals as he showed so it's brilliant to have him in the team. "I know he took a knock but hopefully he will be okay and he can get a run of games. "He certainly gives us something different up top because of his height and playing in defence right now myself I wouldn't fancy coming up against him." Manager Ally McCoist also praised Kyle's contribution. "I actually felt sorry for him, he got fouled a little bit," McCoist said. "I did say to the referee that big boys can get fouled some time as well. "That's the way he plays the game, he gets fouled, he is completely and utterly wholehearted and I'm really pleased he is getting one or two goals because he has worked ever so hard. "I keep saying he hasn't played for a long time and the big fellow is what he is and it's nice to see him getting the rewards with a few goals." McCulloch's equaliser came six minutes after Young took advantage of slack marking to volley home following a long throw, and although Dean Shiels finished off a counter-attack two minutes after setting up Kyle, Montrose continued to fight back and create chances throughout the game. Substitute David Gray soon scored a superb lob to set up an exciting finale, during which both Garry Wood and Scott Johnston struck the frame of the goal for the hosts. But Robbie Crawford sealed the league leaders' sixth consecutive Third Division win with the last kick of the ball. McCulloch said: "That was a hard game, they started with two players up top and that caused us a few problems, especially at the death when they hit the post. "It was a little bit nervy towards the end and I feel we could maybe have done a bit better as a team. "But we got the win and it keeps our run going."

Source: team_talk