Kenny Miller: “I played by default”

Kenny Miller has today claimed the attitude of himself and some of his peers at Ibrox was not quite what it should be such was the indispensible nature of their selection in the team.

The likes of Wes Foderingham, Lee Wallace, James Tavernier, Rob Kiernan, Andy Halliday, Jason Holt, Barrie McKay, Martyn Waghorn and himself almost always found themselves starting regardless of form for the simple reason there was no alternative most of the time in Mark Warburton’s ‘lean’ squad.

But is this fair? While on the surface many could point at Miller and say he is correct in what he says based on pure logic, does it also arguably come across as a slight on his team mates, suggesting that they did not always apply themselves fully knowing a drop in form would not see them dropped to the bench?

It is an interesting position for one of the beneficiaries of such a scenario to take up; he concedes directly that he played more than he felt he would have had Rangers been bestowed with more (quality) attacking options in his position; but equally Miller is a pretty honest and mature lad these days, and is capable of introspective criticism if he deems it necessary.

In truth, from around December onwards Miller was a quintessential part of the Warburton machine, and while selected by borderline default, he certainly deserved his place anyway such was the form he held for large periods of the season.

But does he does have a valid point regarding a few others? James Tavernier certainly stands out – his form deteriorated increasingly as the season wore on, but the obstinate lack of alternative option meant there was simply no one else to select at RB. The only other vague possibility was Fraser Aird, but he was stationed in Canada for the majority of the campaign.

Andy Halliday is another who suffered inconsistent form, and who would have benefited from someone else pushing him. He certainly has that now, with aplomb, but Miller certainly seems to be including him in this list.

So, is Kenny right? Is he being fair? Or is he unjustifiably criticising himself and fellow pros when the lean squad was not their fault?