As the SPL Season unfolds before our eyes, the Rangers side finds itself today at a cross roads. The club itself remains in financial flux, but the team’s festive run has ensured that the club site proudly at the top of the SPL, but an injury crisis now threatens to derail our title bid.

The loss of Kris Boyd is an enormous one which cannot be overstated. The much maligned Boyd was scoring for fun before his enforced lay off, and his partnership with Kenny Miller has blossomed in to one that has improved Miller beyond all recognition from the hard working but misfiring striker that had many bears tearing their hair out last season.

It remains to be seen if Miller can hit the high notes upon his return from suspension without Boyd, but it’s crucial that other players step up to the mark.

Saturday’s result against Hearts was not wholly unexpected, given the unavailability of Miller & Boyd, as well as Novo and Naismith, however, the chance is there for Kyle Lafferty to answer all his critics and make a genuine claim to a regular starting spot up front, and it appears that he’s having trouble doing so.

I’ve read many recent articles and hatchet jobs from the usual suspects on Lafferty, and this is the time the big man has to ram the words of those two bit hacks down their throats, as well as the more critical Rangers fan.

One astonishing quote that keeps re-appearing across the media is the question why he “apparently” performs for Northern Ireland, and doesn’t for Rangers, as if there is an inference that our friends across the water are making it up about his quality performances for his country. What absolute nonsense.

Speaking as a Scot who took in Northern Ireland’s impressive display against Poland, where Lafferty took great pleasure in scoring a very special goal past Celtic’s temperamental keeper Artur Boruc, I can confirm from that game that Lafferty does indeed have some quality. I agree that it hasn’t yet become apparent in the light blue, but I for one hope that he can put all the negative headlines and sniping to the back of his mind in the coming weeks to drive Rangers towards the title alongside Miller.

If he can do that, then he can secure his future at Ibrox, secure Rangers the title, and we’ll all be happy. If he cannot rise to the occasion, then I fear that his tenure at Ibrox will be lucky if it lasts until next season. One can only hope too, that Miller can perform alongside him.

While Fleck started the game on Saturday, one can only assume that Miller will be back in the side as soon as available. I’d also suspect that it will be in Fleck’s place rather than Laffertys, which is possibly unfair on Fleck, but some may argue that it’s unfair on a developing 18 year old to be saddled with the responsibility of leading the line.

I’m on the fence on this one, and I suspect the management team feel the same. My greatest worry about Fleck is that the team’s formation has, in my opinion, to be structured around him. I’m not convinced that Capello knows how to get the best out of him, but I hope both manager and player prove to the support that he can be a hit at Ibrox, and that it doesn’t take a move away for him to reach his potential.

There are others who’ve largely been in the shadows this season who need to step up to the plate and deliver maximum points for February and send us 7 points clear, from Edu to Whittaker to McCulloch to Thomson.

Hopefully the imminent return of DaMarcus Beasley will trigger some form at a key time.

Rangers must pull together and grind out the necessary results until there is a full squad available. If we can do that, then I believe a full squad will return to the form of the festive period and clinch the SPL title in style.

Make it 53 Rangers

Opportunity Knox