BILLY Davies expects Kenny Miller to handle the pressure of his first Old Firm derby since rejoining Rangers – because his character was strong enough to cause him "headaches" as Derby County manager.
The former Celtic striker, who was an unpopular signing among a large section of Rangers fans, returns to Parkhead on Sunday looking for his first goal back in blue.
Miller netted his first Celtic goal in an Old Firm clash less than two years ago
before Davies signed him last August.
The former Pride Park boss revealed Miller was a vocal presence in his dressing room – a trait he feels will help him overcome the critics.
"Headaches is what he gives you as a manager, because he has got an opinion," Davies said.
"He's a very strong-minded character and he says his piece. He is a great lad to have in the dressing room because he has a go at his team-mates at the right time.
"He expects good crosses, quality passes and he expects when he doesn't do things right for other people to give him stick. That's what makes him such a good lad to have around because of the strong character that he is.
"He is an experienced player, he has handled criticism. It will be another game for Kenny."
Many detractors among the Rangers support claim they did not approve of his signing because he is not good enough. But Davies believes their opposition is purely down to his decision to sign for Celtic in 2006.
"I think they won't like him because he kissed a Celtic badge in the past," said the former Rangers midfielder.
"It's a Glasgow mentality,
but life moves on, Kenny has to look after his family, there was a fantastic opportunity for Kenny to join Rangers and sometimes you have got to do what you have got to do.
"He will have known before he joined Rangers that there will be a huge amount of pressure and criticism from certain quarters. What he needs now is a number of goals to set him on his way, which I'm sure he will get."
While Miller's goal record for both sides of the Old Firm is not prolific – he has scored 11 times for each – Davies believes he brings other attributes.
The 28-year-old's energy and work-rate were first utilised by Rangers manager Walter Smith when he gave him a lone striker's role for Scotland.
"If you look at Kris Boyd for example, he is a magician in the box, great finisher and scores goals for fun," said Davies, who was promoting Setanta's coverage of Sunday's Parkhead clash.
"Kenny will
go away from home and work the back four, he will hunt down the defenders and put pressure on them, and sometimes that's what you need in certain games.
"Other games will be the opportunity for Boyd and other guys like that."
The full article contains 493 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
