CHAIRMAN WAS RIGHT TO BLAST US SAYS NOVO

NACHO NOVO fired the goal that cemented Rangers' position in the race for the second Champions League spot yesterday - then admitted a dressing-room rant by chairman David Murray has brought Paul Le Guen's team together.

Murray addressed the Ibrox under-achievers a fortnight ago and warned them they will be out on their ears unless they turn their early-season slump around.

Murray's talk was followed by a victory over Dunfermline and Novo's winner against Hearts at Tynecastle secured a second successive league win for the first time this season. The little Spaniard said: "This is a good start in showing we are getting back to what we should be.

"To leave Edinburgh with three points from what was always going to be a difficult match should make everybody more motivated. There should be a great atmosphere in the dressing room now.

"Everybody is fighting for each other again and that is what you need if you are going to win titles and trophies. Things are more positive now than they have been.

"After the chairman spoke to us the players got together and realised we had to fight for each other. We had to ask ourselves what it means to play for Rangers.

"The chairman loves the club and sometimes it's too easy to criticise managers and directors - sometimes it's the players who need to do more.

"The chairman asked us how we could win in Italy against Livorno and then, with almost the same players, go out and lose against St Johnstone.

"But we are trying to prove that everybody is behind the manager and the chairman, and we need to kick on from here."

Novo's 78th-minute strike was the difference between the two sides in Edinburgh yesterday in a match that was desperately low on quality.

But Rangers deserved to come out on top as the Jambos - who pipped Rangers to second place last season - continued their recent trend of self - destruction.

Novo said: "Everybody knew we would get a hard game and that's exactly what it was so to take the three points was really important.

"I was delighted to get another goal and it has been a good run for me and the team recently.

"It was quite hard for me to keep going earlier in the season when I couldn't get a game.

"But I kept working to get myself back into the team and I'm happy with the way things are going."

Manager Le Guen now looks forward to a crucial UEFA Cup clash back in his French homeland against Auxerre on Thursday.

He said: "It was a good performance from the players and a great result. "I am pleased for Nacho, because his efforts are being rewarded

" It sets us up for Auxerre but the game against Kilmarnock next Sunday is more important to us.

"Perhaps today will give us the lift we need.

"We took a little step forward against Dunfermline and a bigger one today.

"But we must be careful and keep our humility.

"The team spirit is better and on the pitch the players are showing real character and solidarity.

"That was difficult at the start of the season when we had so many new players.

"But the team is bonding better now."

Taken from the Daily Record