GLASGOW (AFP) - Rangers boss Alex McLeish has praised the players who only a few weeks ago looked set to cost him his job.
A poor start to the season had seen Rangers crash out of the Champions League, drop seven points behind champions Celtic in the Scottish Premier League and many thought McLeish would be sacked.
But Rangers' 5-0 trouncing of third placed Aberdeen on Sunday reduced the gap to four points and they already look certain to qualify from their UEFA Cup group after winning their opening fixture by the same scoreline against Polish side Amica Wronki
It's no wonder McLeish has paid tribute to the men who have helped to continue his stay at Ibrox.
He said: "I thought there were some top class performances against Aberdeen. A lot of the players were being criticised earlier in the season but they showed the correct attitude and kept working hard and they deserve a bit of praise.
"Zurab Khizanishvilli played his best game for us against Aberdeen. He was getting up the park at full speed to set up attacks and chances as we have asked him to do, and he played very well.
"Gregory Vignal in the other full-back position was also very impressive and I thought we created a lot of good chances from these positions.
"Nacho Novo chased everything, scored two goals, set up another and he is improving all the time. He has shown that he has the heart and the spirit necessary at a club like this."
McLeish was also delighted of the attitude shown by Steven Thompson who has not been able to break into the first team this season but came off the bench to score against Aberdeen.
He said: "Steven came on and played very well, scored a goal and he has given me a brilliant problem. He will think that he should be in the team but he is always very positive and shows great professionalism even when he is not playing.
"There are a few players waiting in the wings for their chance and it is up to them to take them when they come and Steven has done this."
The start of Rangers' rout however was less spectacular.
A sickening head clash between Dado Prso and Aberdeen's Scott Severin after 24 minutes led to the Croatian international being stretchered off with a cut which required stitches although McLeish said he should not miss any matches.
"Normally these things take about eight days to heal but we hope he is a quick healer and that he will be available for us next week," added McLeish.
Rangers took the lead on 39 minutes after some crazy defending by Severin. With the ball about to drift over the touchline for an Aberdeen bykick, the defender decided to keep the ball in play but only succeeded in gifting it to Novo. The little Spanish striker rolled the ball across goal for Thompson to smash home from two yards out.
On 68 minutes Lovenkrands doubled his side's lead and Novo made it 3-0 when he latched on to a loose ball on the edge of the box and rounded Esson before rolling the ball into the empty net.
With the visitors' defence disintegrating Rangers continued to press for more goals and in the final minutes scored twice in quick succession.
First Rickson powered in a shot from 25-yards which flew past Esson into the net on 87 minutes. And then in the final minute of normal time Novo was hauled down in the box by Philip McGuire and he picked himself up to convert from the spot kick.
11/01/2004 - 07:25 GMT - AFP