Naismith happy with Healy arrival

Steven Naismith has welcomed the addition of Northern Ireland striker David Healy to the Rangers squad.

The 31-year-old was initially thought to have signed on loan from Sunderland until the end of the season but it emerged that the Ibrox club have recruited the player on a permanent deal, although it is understood there was no transfer fee involved.

Healy was at Hampden yesterday to see Naismith’s winner in the 2-1 victory against Motherwell which secured a place in the Co-operative Insurance Cup final against Celtic on March 20.

Asked about the arrival of Healy, the former Kilmarnock striker said: “It’s very good for the club.

“He’s an experienced striker who has an eye for goal and he has proved that at international level as well as club level.

“We managed to meet him before the game and we will see how he settles in the coming days but it’s a very good addition for us.”

Healy revealed his delight at finally winning a move to boyhood heroes Rangers.

“I had a trial with Rangers when I was 14 but I couldn’t sign back then as I was a little bit too young,” he told the club’s official website.

“But it’s been well documented that I am Rangers fan, as are all my family.

“My dad comes on the boat to watch a lot of the games with his friends so it’s a boyhood dream for me.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to be here.”

Healy’s signing still leaves the Rangers squad short of numbers in comparison to Old Firm rivals Celtic but Naismith is not too concerned.

He said: “We have been in the situation for a couple of years now.

“When you have a big squad it is the manager’s job to keep everybody happy and with a smaller squad, it seems everyone is working in the same direction and pushing each other.

“So we are used to having a smaller squad and it’s probably the way we like it to be honest.”

Motherwell boss Stuart McCall claimed his side lacked a “killer instinct”, especially after Keith Lasley had equalised Maurice Edu’s opener in the second half.

The former Rangers midfielder said: “I thought we had good possession of the ball and we created good little openings but we just didn’t have the final killer instinct.

“Our goal was an excellent goal and, at 1-1, we looked like we were getting strong but it wasn’t to be in the end.

“I don’t think anybody expected us to run them as close as we did so that was pleasing and there wasn’t much more that we could have done other than put the ball in the back of the net with the chances we had.

“So I thought the lads did the club proud but the bottom line is that we are out of the cup.

“There are a lot of positives to take from this game but it’s gone now and we’ve got to move on and hopefully take it forward into the rest of the season.”