Rangers dominated the 2009/10 season not only in the league table, but also the player and manager awards.
Steven Davis and David Weir shared the numerous honours that were on offer, and deservedly so.
However, there was a missing man at Rangers who was not even short listed or at least mentioned by most commentators. Kenny Miller, arguably, has been the most consistent player in the league and has contributed most to the team out of anyone in light blue. And the stats back it up.
He bagged 21 goals in all competitions – his highest total in Scotland. This is a remarkable record for a man that is regarded as an unnatural finisher, unlike his strike partner Kris Boyd. He, in fact, scored more goals from open play than Boyd, so it really needs to be considered who the main man up-front was for Rangers last season.
Nine assists in the SPL is a fantastic return as well, and it shows he is still contributing to the team now that he has found some goal scoring form.
And all of this was achieved with a dodgy hamstring. The injury is nothing new with Miller, and he has had to put up with it throughout his second stint at the club.
However, it is the importance of the goals Miller scored that tells us what he gives to the team. Three Old Firm goals in as many games, bringing his tally to five against Celtic, and, also, a Cup winning header when his team are down to nine men late on, will live long in the memory of the Ibrox supporters.
It was in this game against St Mirren that the supporters finally sang his name in the Hampden sunshine; nearly two years after they sang a rather different song to protest his signing at the very same ground.
His time at Celtic may well mean acceptance will not be forthcoming from all, but the majority of fans appear to have found contempt with him, and now many regard 30 year old as pivotal to their ongoing success.
The transformation behind Miller’s success will not have surprised many within the game, as his work-rate and dedication is up there with the very best in football. What has improved markedly is his willingness to shoot more often, resulting in more goals, and his movement, which creates so many more chances for him and others around.
The ex-Derby and Wolves forward has developed into a really fine footballer, after always seemingly known as a player with potential, but lacking in genuine quality. His weaknesses, however, appear to have been ironed out, not least his first touch. This may be in part due to his age and experience. Kenny Miller is a player who appears to get better every season.
Despite being ignored in the awards, Miller is one of the first names on the team sheet for Walter Smith. He epitomises everything that is good about the current Rangers team – hard working, dedicated and defiant. His contract expires in a year’s time, like many in the team. If he were to leave, either this summer or next, then the true worth of Miller will become obvious to all.
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