(Kenny) Miller's Crossing

Written by Danny

Not since Maurice Johnston's signature in 1989 has a Rangers signing divided the support as vehemently as the capture of Kenny Miller in the summer of 2008.

As a former Celtic and Rangers player, Miller had his work cut out to cease the endless barrage of criticism he received on both a personal and a professional level.

It must be said though, if we are to be fair, that while he performed slowly for the first few weeks, his game was excellent between September and December. He became indispensable and appeared to be in the form of his life

Miller netted away a number of goals, contributed extremely effectively up front, and formed a formidable partnership with Kris Boyd.

Sadly for the player, and the club, his form has deteriorated markedly since December, which equates to around just under two months of average to poor displays.

The first touch has gone, the confidence following fast behind, and his finishing has deteriorated to something appalling.

In the past, it has been levied that Miller performs in patches. That is, during his previous spells at Ibrox, Molineux, Celtic Park, and Pride Park, he produced around 30 percent of "maximum capability." During his times at said locations, he would conjure a so-called "purple patch" before fading back to his more predictable average performances.

After those three or so months in which Miller was undeniably doing it, is the pattern continuing, whereby he has fallen back into a rut of mediocre displays?

On current form, it would have to be suggested that the confidence, pace, guile, and teamwork he possessed, not to mention his goals and endless off the ball runs which created space, all seem to have conspicuously vanished.

These skills have been replaced by a player whose first touch is flaky at best, and who no longer seems to make the productive runs behind defences. Instead Miller sits deeper and supports Boyd up front. His passing is also presently extremely iffy, and overall he is a shadow of the player he was only two months ago.

It was aired last summer that Walter Smith had taken the biggest gamble of his managerial career with this signing. While in hindsight this appears to have been emotional hyperbole of the tallest order, it would seem currently that the gamble, which apparently paid dividends, is now slowly starting to lose its stake.

The world will not blow up, and Kenny Miller will not cause Ibrox to collapse. However, if Miller continues to play this poorly, questions will almost certainly continue to be asked of his selection.

He is a seemingly certain starter, but if Allan McGregor can be dropped through poor form, can Miller as well? This would hopefully give the Scottish International the proverbial kick up the backside and inspire him to regain form as McGregor has done.

Walter Smith, it is over to you.