Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
YOU WORR BRILLIANT
Gerrard hails Joe display that earns replay
JOE WORRALL swooped to save the season for Rangers and then insisted they are still in the hunt for a domestic double.
The central defender scored his first goal for the Light Blues as they came from behind to bag a Scottish Cup replay with a 1-1 draw at Aberdeen.
The on-loan Nottingham Forest star reckons his goal was the perfect payback for Steven Gerrard after the Gers boss kept the faith after his recent Rugby Park horror show.
Worrall’s second half strike cancelled out an early penalty from Sam Cosgrove, his 18th goal of the season, as they sides prepare to go again at Ibrox on Wednesday week.
The 22-year-old is adamant his side can go all the way to Hampden in May – and also hasn’t given up hope of winning the championship in Gerrard’s first season as a boss. Worrall said: “I didn’t really see my goal to be honest. I thought Connor Goldson was going to get it but I stuck a leg out and thankfully it went in off my shinpad.
“How important a strike was that? It’s a massive goal for us. The gaffer said at half-time we were not good enough and needed to win the second half to save our season and stay in the cup.
“Aberdeen is a tough place to come. We knew that and that they were going to throw everything they had at us. They are a big physical side but they have to come to
Ibrox now and beat us to get through.
“It is important we stay in this cup competition as long as possible and keep picking up wins to continue the momentum. Don’t forget the last time we played Aberdeen we beat them. Now they have to come to our place and we will have to make it difficult.
“Let’s not kid ourselves, the league is not over yet either. There are still games to come, we’ve to play Celtic and there are points there to be won and lost. We want to keep the momentum going.
“That was my first goal for Rangers and they say they come along like buses so let’s hope I get a few more. I’m just happy we are still in the cup and whoever got on the scoresheet didn’t really matter.
“I’ve been asked many times about the incident at Kilmarnock but it is one of those things where people make mistakes. I am man enough and big enough to get on with it. Thankfully the manager has stuck by me and I’m pleased to have repaid that faith with my performances.”
Gerrard hailed the display of Worrall at both ends of the park.
He said: “Joe was outstanding, it was a man of the match performance and he will be a captain of whatever team he plays for. He is a leader and he stepped up today.
“Aberdeen edged the first 45 minutes but we were better in the second half.
“There was only the penalty between us and I asked the players for more in the second half and to be braver on the ball. Reflecting on the game, it was a fair result. Both teams could have won the tie.”