Dunfermline new boy Jordan McMillan is backing Rangers to retain their SPL title but he hopes to make it even harder for them to be crowned champions again.
The Pars welcome the crisis-hit Light Blues to East End Park on Saturday and know most eyes, certainly outwith the Fife town, will be focused on Ally McCoist’s men.
The Gers are under the cosh both off the field and on. They are having to deal with the loss of star striker Nikica Jelavic to Everton with no replacement coming in, continued speculation over owner Craig Whyte’s business dealings and also their exit from the Scottish Cup at the hands of Dundee United.
McMillan, who left Ibrox on transfer deadline day along with loan star Kyle Hutton to join the Pars on an 18-month deal, still thinks his former club can keep their crown. However, he hopes to do all he can to pile on the pressure on Rangers, with every point also a prisoner for relegation-threatened Dunfermline as they bid to survive in the top flight.
”It has been well documented that Rangers aren’t playing as well as they would want to but that’s what it is like at an Old Firm club if they have one bad result it is a ‘crisis’,” said McMillan. ”It is not the case because there are enough boys in there to win that league if they put their mind to it.
”I would never write them off. Team spirit is great and I know the way the gaffer is. When the chips are down they are still looking to be winning regardless of who they are playing. There is enough at Rangers to win the league and they will be up for it on Saturday.
”It will be up to us to try to take a point like we did against Kilmarnock or even a win. Whomever we take points off I will be more than happy but there is the wee incentive of it being my old club.
”I wouldn’t have come here in first place if I had doubts about us staying up. I have seen enough since I have been here to know we’re a good team. We have enough in that dressing room to make sure we stay in this league.”
McMillan spent seven years at Rangers but while he mulled over the move to Fife he concluded he had to move on for the sake of his career. Now in just his second game for the Pars, after featuring in their 1-1 draw with Killie, he comes up against his former side.
He said: ”This a big game but Rangers are just another club now. I have made the decision to cut ties with them. I hope they do well in the league but I hope Dunfermline do as well.
”I loved every minute of it at Ibrox. I worked with some great people and I played for the club my family and I have supported since I was a young boy. Now, though, I have to kick on and be a football player that’s the most important thing.”
McMillan was delighted to get a run-out on Tuesday night as the Pars stayed bottom but drew level on points with relegation rivals Hibs.
He said: ”My last competitive game was coming on against Arbroath in the Scottish Cup so it was a fair step up. I keep myself fit enough but I need to train extra hard because I wasn’t playing enough games.”
Photo by Kirk O’Rourke/PA