McCoist not concerned about Jelavic

04 December 2011 07:17

Rangers manager Ally McCoist has backed Nikica Jelavic to return to top form soon after the forward was back on the scoresheet in their 2-1 win over Dunfermline in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

The Croatian converted from the penalty spot to help seal the points at Ibrox but passed up chances either side of his goal. Jelavic appeared to have suffered a slump in form as Rangers failed to find the back of the net in their last two outings against St Johnstone and Kilmarnock but McCoist is not worried about his star striker.

He said: "I'm not overly concerned. Strikers are judged on their goals and he has scored so many great, important goals for us since he has been here. I don't think it would be right to start criticising him for missing one or two chances."

He added: "He's had better days in front of goal, that goes without saying, but he will come back.

"I would probably be a little more concerned if he wasn't in the position to take any of these chances. He's never far away from the goalmouth action."

McCoist handed a first competitive start to Thomas Bendiksen for the visit of the Pars after the Norwegian midfielder netted in a midweek friendly in Hamburg.

The Rangers boss said: "I was delighted with Thomas. He's a smashing kid and he has had one or two injury problems while he has been here.

"He's been out for two or two-and-a-half years with knee injuries. He's a really gifted footballer. He's got two great feet and he's really quick.

"He has stood out in training and he had a particularly good game in Hamburg and scored his goal.

"We just felt it was an ideal opportunity for him to be given a chance. I thought he acquitted himself fairly well for an hour and did a lot of good things, and a lot of things he can improve on. I was pleased."

Source: PA