Naismith’s knee injury robs our team of its greatest asset, says downbeat Davis

MIDFIELDER Steven Davis accepts it will be a major blow for Rangers if the knee injury Steven Naismith sustained in the win at Aberdeen keeps him sidelined for a long spell.

Naismith required treatment after making a rash challenge on Dons midfielder Rob Milsom, only to collapse to the ground moments after returning to the field when his right knee buckled and he was stretchered off. The Scotland international suffered a similar injury to his right knee in 2008, and Davis is hoping the damage is not as bad as feared.

Davis said: “It’s a massive blow for the whole team, as well as him personally. Last year he was player of the year and he has been fantastic so far this season. It puts a real dampener on the result.

“Everyone around him will support him. He did his other knee before and came back fitter and stronger than ever. Over the last 18 months he has possibly been our best player, so that tells you how much of a blow it is going to be to us.”

Davis criticised the Aberdeen supporters who cheered when 25-year-old Naismith was carried off during a feisty encounter at Pittodrie, which Rangers won 2-1.

Davis said: “No fan should want to see any player get injured, whether it’s for your own team or the opposition. I was a bit saddened by that.”

The victory gave Rangers their 14th consecutive league win on the road – one short of the club record set in 1928-29 under Bill Struth.

Davis added: “We have a real determination not to concede goals and if you don’t concede you always have a chance to win, as we always create one or two chances.”

Aberdeen midfielder Chris Clark felt the turning point came in the first half when the Dons were denied a penalty as Darren Mackie collided with Dorin Goian. Clark also felt striker Rory Fallon was harshly penalised when he was shown a straight red for elbowing the Romanian.

Clark said: “Darren was just about to strike the ball into the net when there was a coming together, so that was frustrating. The first goal was always going to be crucial but the way we lost the goal was disappointing.

“I don’t think it was right that Rory was shown a straight red. His eyes were fixed on the ball. He admits he caught the player but there was no intention.”