YOU wouldn't consider him a 30-goal a season striker and his first touch often leads to a tackle. But Kenny Miller is now showing why Walter Smith put his neck on the line by bringing him back to Rangers.

Not for the first time this season, the striker failed to find the back of the net. And it most certainly won't be the last time the Scotland striker leaves the field without a goal to show for his efforts.

But as much as Pedro Mendes and Steven Davis were inspirational in midfield, it was Miller who made things tick in the final third as his side secured three points thanks to a 2-1 victory over Motherwell.

What Miller lacks in natural ability and flair, he more than makes up for with effort and desire as he leads the line. And with each passing game, he adds a few more new members to his own personal fan club.

Miller doesn't have the same ability his strike partner Kris Boyd to turn chances into goals - he usually requires three of four attempts on goal before he enjoys success. And he isn't as strong as Kyle Lafferty in the air or as tricky as Nacho Novo.

But he has attributes in his game which mean he's the first choice striker at the club.

There are some who doubted whether he would cut it at Rangers second time around. It takes a strong character to cross the Old Firm divide, but as the first player to cross it the other way again, Miller knew he would endure all kinds of stick.

There will be some Rangers supporters who will never accept him. As a former Celtic player, Miller knows he will be fighting a losing battle with some. However, there can be no disputing more and more are warming to him.

As he chases lost causes, puts defenders under pressure and works his socks off, the fans now applaud his efforts.

And he proved that, though he won't always score goals, he can still influence the outcome of games. Rangers had the lion's share of possession, but were still looking to break the deadlock after almost an hour.

But then Miller managed to thread a perfectly weighted pass to Davis for the midfielder to dispatch past Well keeper Graeme Smith, a pass even Pedro Mendes would have been proud of.

And Miller was also involved in the move for the second goal when substitute Nacho Novo put Rangers two ahead.

Providing he can maintain his current form, he could be extremely influential in the championship race this term.

Although Gers enjoyed the territorial advantage and created far more chances than the visitors, Smith didn't quite agree with Motherwell counterpart Mark McGhee when he suggested his team were played off the park.

"I'm not so sure we gave them a doing," explained Smith. "I felt the first hour of the game we did well. We were creating chances and were maybe unfortunate not to go in ahead at the interval.

"We eventually got in front and that was pleasing. But after we scored we found ourselves in a situation that we didn't handle particularly well. We allowed Motherwell to come back into the game and put us under pressure.

"We worked hard as a team to get in front but have now allowed Killie and Motherwell to come back at us. That's caused a few problems and Motherwell might well have got themselves back into the game at that stage."

Smith's decision to drop No.1 Allan McGregor raised eyebrows but the manager made it clear no player can take their place for granted.

He said: "We have a big pool of players and everyone has to be at the top of their game.

"Neil Alexander came in last season to cover for injury after Allan had an exceptional season. As soon as Allan's come back fit, he's been back in the team. I feel I have to use my whole pool of players.

"I have to show I'm prepared to use them when I have to, just to keep an edge in our squad.

"We don't have the number of games we faced last season so it's up to every player to keep himself as well prepared as he possibly can.

"A manager makes a judgement on these things and it will happen to more than Allan over the season. We have a squad and we have to use them." NEED TO KNOW

RANGERS............2 MOTHERWELL............1 Was it a good game? It was entertaining enough. Rangers dominated play in the first half but Motherwell were committed in the challenge, which made it a busy period for referee Eddie Smith.

However, it wasn't until the visitors went two goals behind that they started to have a go and make a game of it and in the final 15 minutes play raced from end to end with decent chances.

How did Walter Smith do? The Rangers manager dropped goalkeeper Allan McGregor and replaced the suspended Sasa Papac at left-back with Kirk Broadfoot and Christian Dailly coming in on the right of a four-man defence.

In midfield, Kevin Thomson returned in place of Maurice Edu and the changes didn't disrupt the momentum.

Who scored the goals? Steven Davis broke the deadlock in the 56th minute after a great through ball from Kenny Miller.

Substitute Nacho Novo got the second before Well's David Clarkson replied in the dying minutes.

Rangers' best player? Pedro Mendes, Davis and Miller were all on-form - but Mendes shaded it. At just £3m, he is fast becoming the bargain of the season.

What about Motherwell's top man? He was only on the park for 36 minutes, but substitute Jamie Murphy was Motherwell's main man. He gave Rangers problems and crossed for Clarkson's goal.

What about the ref? Eddie Smith was given a tough time by the home supporters but he managed to get most decisions spot on, issuing yellow cards when they were due.

Who is up next? It's Hibs at Easter Road on Sunday for the Ibrox outfit.