Aluko underlines own importance, then heaps praise on McCulloch

Published on Monday 13 February 2012 01:58

SONE Aluko has been a revelation since joining Rangers. A bit-part player at Aberdeen, he appeared to be one of those talented individuals who lacked the physical or mental strength to make the most of their ability. Now, though, he is one of the most consistent members of Ally McCoist’s squad, a regular scorer and supplier of goals, as he showed again in Saturday’s 4-1 win at Dunfermline.

“It’s other people’s labels,” he said after the game when reminded of that ‘inconsistent’ tag. “I can’t worry about what other people say about me. All I can do is focus on what I’m capable of and try to help the team.”

Aluko helped his team at both ends, scoring Rangers’ third and clearing an Alex Keddie header off the line. The latter was a particularly significant contribution, given that in his first game for his current club he had allowed Kilmarnock the winning goal by staying on the post and playing Manuel Pascali onside.

“That was part of my duties too,” he said of his denial of Keddie. “The first game I played everyone made a big fuss about me not getting off the post. So I was just concentrating and trying to stay awake this time. It’s just part of football. You learn from your mistakes and today was what that was about.”

Aluko had the novel experience of trying to create scoring chances for Lee McCulloch up front, and suggested that the former Scotland international, who began his career as a forward, and Daniel Cousin could constitute a powerful striking combination in some circumstances. “I’ve just told Lee that I can’t believe he’s been playing midfield. I said ‘What have you been doing playing there, not striker?’ I thought he did very well for us.

“He was physical and aggressive and his movement was good. He also scored a great goal. He looked a top striker and he’s the type you want to be playing up front when you’re a winger.

“It gives us another option, especially when the pitch isn’t conducive to playing good football and you have to go a bit more direct. Cousin and Lee can do that for us. He [Cousin] was a handful to play against. I came up against him in my first season at Aberdeen and he was a powerful boy, a real handful who worked the line well. A strong boy. He’s got great experience. I’m sure he looks after himself. He might not play every game, but I’m sure he’ll still bring a lot to the team.”