Source: Team_Talk
Smith to resist Miller advances
Walter Smith admitted after Rangers' win over St Johnstone that he would not welcome interest in any of his players before deadline day.[LNB] Top of the list of players he will be hoping to hold on to is Kenny Miller, the striker who is in the final year of his contract and who has rejected a new deal as negotiations continue over his future.[LNB]He again demonstrated his worth to the Scottish champions by claiming the winner in a 2-1 victory over St Johnstone in the Scottish Premier League - his fifth goal of the season so far.[LNB]Madjid Bougherra is another who could attract unwanted attention before the window closes but Smith would be reluctant to see his numbers diminished any further having already witnessed the departure of several players since the end of last term.[LNB]He said: "We can be approached but whether we sell or not is another aspect. There is no necessity for us to do so and that's where we stand at the moment.[LNB]"The transfer window brings around that type of question but we have been sitting since the end of May and we have had no enquiries for anybody who is playing in our team.[LNB]"The enquiries we have had, the players have left us. Hopefully we will get no enquiries and we can settle down after that."[LNB]Miller has netted in all three SPL games so far and Smith added: "He is playing very well for us at the moment and we are delighted because we had to work extremely hard for our win today.[LNB]"Last season he got over 20 goals for us and he has started like that for us this season as well.[LNB]"We are delighted because we need that little bit of a spark at the moment and something to lift us out of that lethargic spell we are having starting games at the moment."[LNB]Saints surged into the lead at Ibrox through Danny Grainger, before Sasa Papac levelled with some help from defender Kevin Rutkiewicz and Miller secured the decisive goal late on.[LNB]Smith said: "We didn't start the match well at all and it took us until St Johnstone scored to get started.[LNB]"That has been typical of us in our opening three games in the league and we are going to have to try to make sure that we step up and take the game to teams a little bit better than we have been doing.[LNB]"Sometimes it takes time to get started again. All our players had probably the longest close season they have had for many years so getting into the competitive action might take them a little bit of time.[LNB]"Certainly, after St Johnstone scored, we started to dominate the game so maybe we are needing a kick-start prior to the kick-off rather than waiting until the action starts and reacting to it."[LNB]The win propelled Rangers to the top of the league but Saints boss Derek McInnes questioned whether Miller's goal should even have been allowed to stand.[LNB]He said: "I've just seen it with our video boy there and, for me, it's clear there is a barge on the back of Alan Maybury at the goal.[LNB]"I'm disappointed. Yes, Kenny Miller's movement is good and Alan Maybury is aware of it and he sees him. It's a good finish but I thought it was pretty tough on us.[LNB]"I thought it was a free-kick more than anything and we are disappointed because up until then I thought we restricted them to very little.[LNB]"There were a loads of positives we could take.[LNB]"The only negative is the defeat and the fact that we have come away with nothing. I think it's only right that I mention it because we do feel an injustice at the second goal but I would rather look at the positives."[LNB]On the referee's performance overall, he added: "I like Callum Murray, I think he's as good as we've got, and he was brave enough not to bow to three or four poor shouts for penalties. I thought he dealt very well with that.[LNB]"I was just disappointed he didn't see the barge on the back; I think if he had seen it, he would have given a foul nine times out of 10."[LNB]Meanwhile, Murray Davidson is set to miss out on Scotland under-21s' crucial double-header against Belarus and Austria after a clash of heads forced him out of the action.[LNB]McInnes said: "He's had a CAT scan but I believe he is going to be let out once they have checked him out. He is due to meet up with the Scotland Under-21s but I don't think that will be happening."[LNB]
