Rangers' Kenny Miller backs Martyn Waghorn to put Alloa frustration behind him
Kenny Miller has tipped fellow Rangers striker Martyn Waghorn to bounce back in style after a frustrating day in front of goal for the Ladbrokes Championship leaders at Alloa.
Rangers missed a series of chances on the recently-narrowed Indodrill Stadium pitch as they were held to a 1-1 draw by the bottom club.
Harry Forrester and Jason Holt struck the woodwork and Waghorn was among those who failed to convert a number of opportunities which manager Mark Warburton claimed should have led to them being "five or six" ahead at half-time, partly because of the performance of former Rangers goalkeeper Scott Gallacher.
Jason Marr stunned the visitors when he headed an opener on the hour mark but Michael O'Halloran swept home James Tavernier's low cross with seven minutes left to earn Rangers what turned out to be a point that maintained their eight-point lead over Hibernian, who drew at Livingston later.
Waghorn has now failed to score in five matches but, with 27 goals previous to that run, Miller feels it is only a matter of time before the English striker starts finding the net again. And he warned Kilmarnock to beware the former Sunderland player during Tuesday's William Hill Scottish Cup replay at Rugby Park.
"It's just something that happens," Miller told RangersTV. "I don't think we can look to point the finger at Waggy or anyone for that matter for missing chances.
"The level of goals and the consistency of his play has been fantastic and he's been phenomenal in his first year at the club.
"He's maybe going through a bit of a dry spell just now where things just don't seem to be falling for him, or they are coming off a goalkeeper's shin, when before they were going through his legs.
"There's no doubt that a player of the quality of Martyn Waghorn will come through his spell and it would be no surprise to anybody if he were to go out and even score a hat-trick on Tuesday."
Rangers had 24 efforts on goal against Alloa, nine of them on target, and Miller will not panic after their dropped points.
"We are really disappointed with the fact that we have dropped two points," the 36-year-old said. "However, if we create that level of chances between now and the end of the season then I will be very happy.
Hibs are Alloa's opponents next weekend and Athletic boss Jack Ross is hoping the attitude his players showed against Rangers can stand them in good stead for another stern test as they try to close the four-point gap to ninth-placed Livingston.
"I haven't sensed anything other than a belief that we can still stay in this division from my players," he said. "There is no doubt we carried good fortunes at times, the keeper made good saves, but I think we earned our luck.
"These two games against Rangers and then Hibs were always going to be very difficult because they are top of the league for good reason, but if we go there with the same desire and commitment then we will give ourselves a chance."