Stuart McCall drops surprising Silva claim after what striker did v Killie

06/05/2024 09:30

When Philippe Clement assessed his striker options, he knew that he had to add more firepower to Rangers forward line.

Two attackers were signed in January; Oscar Cortes looked the real deal and Fabio Silva was brought in to add depth to the squad, however, there were immediate questions about him being the right type of striker.

Goals were needed and Silva has never been a natural, but Philippe Clement will have been glad to see Rangers number seven make a key contribution against Kilmarnock with Ibrox great Stuart McCall noticing an unseen quality.

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Rangers need Fabio Silva repeat at Parkhead

Silva has been ok since joining from Wolves, but he certainly isn't helped by the £35m price tag hanging around his neck.

It also doesn't help that he is having to play on the left-hand side of the forward line rather than through the middle.

Needs must though and with no Cortes, Abdallah Sima or Rabbi Matondo, he is the next best thing.

Against Kilmarnock, Silva was industrious and was trying to link play in and around the box.

It was his run and shot that led to Rangers penalty and movement that led to the first, goal with McCall particularly impressed speaking on BBC Sportsound:

"It’s a clever ball from Lundstram. It’s not lumping it in.

"The one thing Silva has done well today, because he’s not been on the ball much, is his movement. It has been excellent.

"Lovely ball, really nice finish."

Silva needs to focus on his game not the nonsense

McCall is right.

Silva doesn't play on the left like a natural striker and probably would have been helped with Ridvan Yilmaz rather than Borna Barisic behind him.

He likes to play in the channel instead of hugging the touchline and a neat one-two that we saw in the second half is exactly the sort of interchange he wants to inspire.

As a square peg in a round hole, Silva deserves an element of slack, but he didn't help himself with his celebration. 

Whom and what exactly it was directed at is unclear, however, his performances since signing for Rangers suggest that a bit more humility would go a long way to endearing him to the fans.

Had he picked the ball up and ran to the half-way line, Silva would have been more warmly received as the man who got Rangers back into the game at a pivotal moment.

Silva does have good movement though and, next week at Parkhead, he will need to work every bit as hard if Rangers are to get the three points that is needed to keep the title dream alive.

If he scores again, he can celebrate however he wants if it's the winner.