Run DMB is back!

By BRIAN LEWIS

After six months, DaMarcus Beasley finally returned to the field for Rangers in Monday’s 3-0 rout of St. Mirren. The bodes well not only for the Glasgow team’s stretch run, but far more importantly, to the U.S. National Team’s World Cup qualifying fortunes.

Beasley had suffered knee ligament damage in a Champions League tilt in Stuttgart on Nov. 27. Finally back from surgery, he made a modest 13-minute cameo, replacing Nacho Novo; but one small step for Run DMB was a giant leap for the U.S.

Coach Bob Bradley named Beasley to his 33-man pool for the upcoming friendlies against powerhouses England, Spain and Argentina, the latter at Giants Stadium. With a dearth of quality left-wingers, Beasley’s presence is going to be needed come qualifying time.

Beasley helped Rangers drill St. Mirren Monday, pulling even with Old Firm archrival Celtic atop the Scottish Premier League. They’ll head into the final fixtures tied, but Celtic leads goal differential by four. Rangers needs a better result at Aberdeen than Celtic can get agaist Dundee United at Tannadice Thursday.