Burke: I Was So Far Out The Picture I Missed Our First Televised Game

Jan 20 2008 By Gavin Berry

Inverness Ct V Rangers Today, Kick-Off 2pm Live On Setanta

CHRIS BURKE was too frustrated to even watch Rangers' title charge get off to a flying start with an easy opening-day win over Inverness.

But the reborn winger's transformation will be complete when he is handed a key role as Walter Smith's men return to the Highlands this afternoon sitting proudly top of the SPL table.

Burke was crocked at the beginning of the campaign and sat out the trip north as Gers won
3-0.

It was a sure sign of their championship intentions and the fact they are leading the title race six months later is proof they have the bottle for a fight.

Chris has won his personal battle to reclaim a first-team place and dazzling recent performances show how far he has come since sitting in his house nursing injury and feeling sorry for himself.

The 24-year-old said: "I was injured for the opening day so didn't feature against Inverness away and wasn't at the game.

"I was just sitting at home but didn't even tune into the game. When I am not playing I don't like to watch."

Burke has been revitalised since forcing his way into Smith's top-team plans during the festive period but wants to add goals to his impressive displays.

He went close to scoring in last week's win over Gretna and said: "I had a couple of shots on Wednesday night and was unlucky with one in particular that went just past the post.

"Maybe I should have squared it to Daniel Cousin but I opted to shoot. If it had gone in nobody would have complained but these things happen.

"I've had a few assists since I came back into the team and for me that is as good as scoring.

"But I am looking to add goals because if I can start finding the net it will be an added bonus for myself and the team."

Caley gave Gers a huge title boost when they came from two down to beat champions Celtic at home last month.

But Burke knows the leaders will face a similarly tough battle against Craig Brewster's men who they failed to beat last season. The winger said: "Inverness is another tough one and we need to make sure we get into the winning habit.

"They were a bit of a bogey team last time round so we'll be delighted to get a victory to rectify the defeat against them last season that proved costly.

"Inverness have shown great spirit, especially when they came back from 2-0 to beat Celtic recently, so we have to make sure we approach the game in exactly the right manner and are as determined as them to get a win.

"We will have to show the same type of qualities we did against Gretna.

"That was a hard-fought victory but maybe we made it hard for ourselves.

"We'd played well in the previous weeks but didn't reach those standards at Fir Park. The most important thing is we got three points and that's how championships are won.

"You can't play well in every game but the less performances like the one against Gretna the better.

"We had an enforced break with postponed games and obviously we'd rather have played the matches and kept momentum going but we had to deal with that and we did on Wednesday night.

"We have great belief and a dogged spirit that stems from the manager and his coaching staff - Coisty and Kenny McDowall - who have brought life back to Rangers.

"They are great characters in training and give you the belief to play football and win every week."

Burke reckons he is a prime example of boss Smith making the most of his squad after coming in from the cold for a sustained run - and hopes other players can step up to the plate.

He said: "I believe I've shown I can do a job and maybe other guys will be asked to do the same and hopefully they can deliver.

"When I was out of the team the main thing was to get my head down and work away.

"I always maintained I wanted to stay at Rangers. Obviously you want to play every week and that wasn't happening for me.

"The longer that continues the more frustrated and annoyed you get and you have to start looking at things. But it has come good for me at the right time."