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Ex-Celtic, Preston striker Lynch: McKay capable of replacing Naismith

Former Celtic, Preston North End and Dundee striker Simon Lynch believes Rangers midfielder Matt McKay has the ability to cover for injured star Steven Naismith.

'Gers have lost Naismith for the remainder of the season and have been recently trialing potential replacements but Lynch feels his former Brisbane Roar teammate can adapt into a more advanced role for the reigning Scottish champions.

"Matt is an excellent player and if given the chance I'm sure he could prove a really good replacement for Naismith," he told the Daily Record of the Australian international.

"He's got everything people look for in the modern-day game. He's ideally suited to the SPL.

"When the going gets tough he's the kind of player you'd want beside you in the trenches for his battling qualities. In saying that he's also got great skill to take people on, beat them and deliver quality crosses for the strikers.

"He's starting to show that after being given some time in the first team recently so he can only get better. Given time I'm sure he's a player the Rangers fans will grow to like because of his style."

And Lynch is confident that McKay's pinpoint crosses will be well-received by in-form Rangers striker Nikica Jelavic.

"Matt has great delivery," he added.

"I think when you look at Rangers having someone like Jelavic who's so powerful in the air, he's got the ideal man to set him up.

"He's already shown that in the recent game with United. Matt was always great at supplying the strikers with crosses at Brisbane.

"That's all a striker can really ask for, then the rest is up to them."

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Andrew Slevison
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