There’s life after Nikica Jelavic, insists Ally McCoist

RANGERS manager Ally McCoist insists that there will be life after Nikica Jelavic, should the Croatian striker be transferred before the closure of the transfer window.

While there is no disguising the importance to Rangers of their top scorer, they managed well enough without him yesterday. “There is not just life beyond Nikica, there is life beyond us all,” said McCoist. “Bigger players have left this club, and the club always goes on, and that’s the most important thing. If Nikica went, he would be big loss. He is a fantastic player, and a big talent here, but as you saw today, we scored some really, really good goals.

“Nikica also didn’t play against Motherwell and we did equally well. That’s just two examples. I wouldn’t like to lose him, of course I wouldn’t, but I understand the economics of our club, and the economics of football, and sometimes they dictate what happens.”

Sone Aluko was instrumental in the victory, although it was thanks mainly to the performance alongside him of Steve Davis and Maurice Edu. “He is a tremendous talent,” said the manager. “I thought our two central midfielders were outstanding, which allowed Aluko to play. He did very, very well in the first half. In the second half, we brought him out right-hand side and he was equally good. The crowd are loving him.

“He is not just talented, he is brave, which is important for somebody of his size. Some people his size will get kicked and bullied off the ball and don’t really fancy it, but he continues to take it and gets us good fouls in dangerous areas. He has been a breath of fresh air.”