Novo happy to grab his chance

17 January 2010 14:34
But, thankfully for the Scottish champions, the Spaniard remembered how to put the ball in the net to snatch a late win over Hamilton.[LNB]His strike with 12 minutes to go was enough to seal victory and allow Rangers to move nine points clear at the top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League, after Celtic were held to a draw by Falkirk later in the day.[LNB]"To be honest, I think I forgot how to play up front," said Novo.[LNB]"Mostly I've been playing out on the left or the right. I was also a bit tired as well.[LNB]"When you play up front you always have to think that you will get a chance and, fortunately, I got my chance and finished it.[LNB]"But you can't just think of the goals - you have to think as a team. It's hard with the injuries but we just have to pull the level up."[LNB]Novo and Kyle Lafferty were tasked with finding the back of the net in the absence of usual strike partnership Kris Boyd and Kenny Miller, who were out through injury and suspension respectively.[LNB]Miller will be back for the midweek Active Nation Scottish Cup replay against Hamilton but Boyd's spell on the sidelines means a chance for Novo to stake a claim.[LNB]But he insisted: "What I want is for us to win the games as a team.[LNB]"I don't care who scores the goals, whether it's me or Davie Weir or anybody else. I will be happy with the three points and to win the games.[LNB]"Boydy will be a big miss for us, he has changed his game, he is working harder and scoring goals. He will work hard to get back soon.[LNB]"Kenny Miller has also been great and it's been a great partnership.[LNB]"Just now, we have to think as a team and fight for each other to get the points."[LNB]Hamilton, who earned a 3-3 draw with the holders in the Scottish Cup last weekend, would be justified in feeling aggrieved at ending this game empty-handed.[LNB]Novo admitted: "It wasn't a great performance for us, especially in the first half, but we got the three points and that's the main thing.[LNB]"It's always hard when you have to play three games against a team in a week and a half so we knew it would be a very tough game."[LNB]Mickael Antoine-Curier caused problems for the Rangers defence for most of the game, and said: "It's definitely an opportunity lost.[LNB]"I should have scored myself but unfortunately they scored and we didn't.[LNB]"But we have a great bunch of lads in the dressing room and I think we deserve a bit of credit."[LNB]Looking ahead to Tuesday's cup match, he added: "If we play like that and get the goal, there is no reason why we can't beat them."[LNB][LNB] Scottish Premier Winner 2009/10 Win Outright: Rangers 4/11  

Source: Team_Talk