Hi °C | Lo °C Maurice Edu has backed Rangers’ fringe stars to continue to help the team in its hour of need as they head into a crucial stage of the season.
Boss Walter Smith’s resources have been stretched to the limit as injuries begin to take their toll at the business end of the campaign. He was without nine first team regulars for Saturday’s 3-1 win over Motherwell, with several on the treatment table and Barry Ferguson and Allan McGregor serving two-week club bans.
Smith has been forced to make the most of limited personnel and so far his fringe players have not let him down.
Andrius Velicka made the most of his first start since August with a quick-fire opener on Saturday and Steven Smith also impressed in his first appearance of the season.
United States international Edu is well aware of just how much it means to finally be given a run in the first team having spent most of his debut season on the sidelines until now and he is confident Smith’s stand-ins can continue to be stand-outs.
"It shows that our team has a lot of depth," he said. "The guys who have been asked to come in and fill roles have done well.
"It’s a time when guys who have been waiting in the wings have been given the opportunity to come in and show what they can do to help the team in their time of need. A lot of the guys have done well and hopefully that continues and we can pick up the win this weekend and continue from there."
Edu did his own hopes of remaining in the team no harm when he claimed his first goal for Rangers in the 2-1 win over St Mirren last week.
"It was great to get my first goal, it was really pleasing, and the fans were supporting me and cheering me on and that was great as well."
