Konterman relishes new role
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Your support makes all the difference.Bert Konterman cast off his habitual villain's status to become the two-goal hero who soothed Rangers' anxieties in a 4-1 defeat of Dunfermline last night. The Dutch international defender has been a scapegoat in his 14 months at the club, but injuries meant that Konterman was thrust into a midfield role at East End Park and his second-half double repaid the faith of Dick Advocaat, the Rangers manager, who has stood by his compatriot even when Konterman has been savaged by fans.
Dunfermline began the day as Scottish Premier League leaders and had been expected to provide a fierce test, but Rangers cast aside the frustrations of the mid-week Champions' League stalemate with Fenerbahce and last week's draw with Livingston with a fluent display.
Russell Latapy fired Rangers ahead after just 12 minutes with a free-kick from the edge of the box. Then Konterman intervened, with a rampaging run which was finished off by Tore Andre Flo's right boot four minutes later, before the Dutchman ended the contest after half-time. "If we want to win the championship this year, we have to win games like this," Konterman declared.
Livingston lost for the first time since promotion, going down 1-0 to Dundee at Dens Park. Juan Sara kept up his goal-a-game record with the decisive header in the 23rd minute, meeting a cross from Alessandro Romano to head past keeper Javier Sanchez Broto and ensure Ivano Bonetti's side remain unbeaten.
Hibernian gained their first victory of the campaign, defeating Aberdeen 2-0 at Easter Road. Franck Sauzée provided a fifth-minute lead from the penalty spot, then Tom McManus doubled the lead seconds before half-time. The Hibernian manager, Alex McLeish, said: "Tom has been complaining about not being in the team, so he has given me a selection problem with that performance. With games against Rangers and Celtic coming up, we needed a win."
Dundee United won 1-0 at pointless St Johnstone, thanks to a Danny Griffin header against his old club.
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