Kilmarnock faced Rangers on Scottish Cup duty at the weekend, playing out a competitive 0-0 draw at Rugby Park.

In the wake of this fixture, Rangers midfielder Scott Arfield has made a bold claim about Gers teammate Ross McCrorie, telling the Daily Record that the youngster does the best midfield job in the Scottish Premiership.

Arfield in action against Kilmarnock. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

These claims are unfounded though, with his Ayrshire opponents boasting two players that can do a better job: Alan Power and Gary Dicker.

To say that McCrorie is better than the Irish duo at the heart of Killie’s midfield is disrespectful to Power and Dicker. McCrorie has played just 740 minutes of Premiership football this season. Dicker has played 1,681 and Power has took part in 2,231 minutes.

Irish double act are on another level

Not only have they played on a more consistent basis, they are better players at this point in time. McCrorie will no doubt be a future Scotland star, but Power and Dicker have played so well this season that he can’t get near the pair just now.

Power has been unplayable at times. (photo by David Young/Action Plus via Getty Images)

Alan Power has gone from strength to strength since arriving at Rugby Park. He hasn’t had the spotlight on him throughout his playing career, but at 31, he is proving himself to be like a fine wine that gets better with age.

He is a combative and strong midfielder with an inexhaustible engine, willing to do anything for the Killie cause. His challenge on Saturday just about proved that, his commitment to win the ball ended in him going off with a nasty head knock, displaying his proven bravery once again.

Power suffered a nasty head knock against Rangers. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Half the work Power does is due to the less credited services of Dicker, the anchor in Steve Clarke’s midfield. He is a typical, no nonsense midfielder who just about always gets his way.

A strong and quick thinker, Dicker is everything you would want in a CDM. Good in the tackle, never backs down from a scrap, and he has an eye pass. Because of his ability to protect the backline so well, it allows Power to do his work in the middle, where he can control the ball and break up play before driving forward to attack.

All of these qualities McCrorie can do to some extent, but not as good as the Irish pair in Killie’s midfield. They are true warriors and a throwback to the old-school midfielder.