Kev chicken over nicely

Aug 24 2008 By Gavin Berry

KEVIN THOMSON reckons he's much more valuable to Rangers than he was to Hibs - because he no longer runs around like a headless chicken.

The Ibrox midfielder insists he has learned to calm down and is a more mature player than the oneWalter Smith paid £2million for in January.

That transformation was underlined when he made his Scotland debut last week against Northern Ireland and the 23-year-old reckons there's plenty still to come.

He said: "I wouldn't say I've put in bigger performances than I did at Hibs but I've learned the game more. When I was at Easter Road I was a bit of a headless chicken.

"A lot of the boys were a bit like that, we were young and a bit naive. We picked up a few extra yellow cards and were probably a referee's worst nightmare, running about kicking people and arguing.

"But that was also part of the reason we were so successful. We had a lot of young boys keen to impress.

"As you get older it's not a case of losing that from your game because you need that desire. But you learn when it's right to run about and press the ball.

"I've settled down a bit and I'm more important to the team because of that. I hope I can keep improving because I'm still young."

Thomson admits Gers' former midfield maestro Ian Durrant is helping him realise his potential after stepping up to first-team coach at Ibrox.

He said: "I think Ian has a wee soft spot for me because he is always telling me what to do.

"I learn an awful lot from him. I worked with Ian a few times when I was returning from my groin injury last season and he was in charge of the reserves.

"Training was different class and his knowledge of the game was terrific. So I was delighted when I heard he was stepping up to the first team."