Derek McInnes will soon have a Rangers selection headache as two-striker approach assessed

The German forward has seized his opportunity in the starting line-up since club captain Lawrence Shankland and Youssef Chermiti were sidelined through injury, linking up effectively at the top end of the pitch with £9 million summer signing Kevin Kelsy.

The pair have struck up a potent partnership in recent weeks, playing a key part in five successive wins that have provided renewed optimism surrounding Rangers’ title credentials this season.

Former Ibrox marksman Boyd has been impressed by Naderi’s all-round game and development after starting the season well down the pecking order, although he suggests there is still room for improvement.

“There's no doubt Chermiti was going to be the one at the top end of the pitch and maybe Shankland behind him,” Boyd said. “Kelsey has come in and he and Naderi have struck up a partnership.

“Shankland will be back soon. He is different to the other two and I still think he’s the best finisher at the club. But he will have a fight on his hands getting back in the team. It’s a good problem for Rangers to have.

“At the start of the season they were creating opportunities but weren’t taking them. You do feel they can score goals, but, more importantly, this team has more of a McInnes DNA defensively. Back then they had to score two, three or four goals to win a game. Right now they can get by with a 1-0. You’d want to kill it off a lot quicker than they do, but it was another three points [on Saturday] and defensively very good.”

McInnes is right to be adventurous

Boyd is an advocate of McInnes' decision to play with two strikers, having operated in that system throughout his own career. He believes the approach provides Rangers with a greater physical presence and gives the opposition more to think about.

“Overall, both of them [Kelsy and Naderi] bring so much to the team and the way Derek wants to play. He wants to get the ball forward and it's two big boys who will ask questions of defenders. Both of them have been scoring. If you wanted to ask for more it would be goals from the wider areas.

“I played that way all my career but football has changed. Derek has always wanted to have two strikers though. Even when they were struggling at Kilmarnock he’d go two up top with wingers. I do think if you are one of the best sides in the country, you can have two strikers on the pitch as long as everyone is doing their work.”

The title race remains finely balanced heading into the final international break of the year, with Celtic four points ahead despite Rangers having a game in hand.

Boyd believes McInnes will welcome the opportunity to take stock of his team’s progress, even if they have continued to find ways to collect points.

“I don’t think he will be upset about the timing of the break,” he said. “Football is about momentum but you do need that break or reset to remind the players about the run they’ve been on. You always feel the last international break to the one in the New Year is when the league starts to sort itself out. Derek will want them refreshed to kick on towards the festive period.”

*Kris Boyd was speaking at the announcement of William Hill as Official Sponsor and Proper Supporter of Walking Football Scotland. To find your nearest game visit walkingfootballscotland.org.