READY FOR TAKE OFF
Dorrans sure things are looking up for Gers now they’ve got Euro shock out their systems
GRAHAM DORRANS was in mid-air when Rangers were grounded in Europe but he is convinced he can help them get off to a flyer at home.
The Scotland midfielder fulfilled his boyhood dream after making his debut in Saturday’s 1-1 glamour friendly draw against Marseille at Ibrox.
It was the first real chance for Pedro Caixinha’s men to get the humiliating Euro defeat to Progres Niederkorn out of their system.
Dorrans wasn’t part of that debacle, watching the 1-0 firstleg win at home before jetting into Glasgow as Gers were being embarrassed in Luxembourg.
The 30-year-old caught the first half in the departure lounge before jumping on his flight from Norwich’s pre-season base in Ireland to finally complete his protracted move.
Despite landing to hear the news of arguably the club’s worst result he has no regrets over his switch to the club he grew up supporting and was on the books as a youngster.
And Dorrans insists the team will be ready for take off domestically with less than two weeks until the Premiership opener at Motherwell.
Caixinha’s side have a closeddoors friendly against Watford in midweek before he takes on fellow Portuguese boss Carlos Carvalhal’s Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough on Sunday.
Rangers then face the Steelmen at Fir Park and Dorrans – one of nine summer signings – is confident they can hit the ground running as new boys gel.
It was last season’s big-name signing Niko Kranjcar who earned a draw against Marseille with a brilliant free-kick.
The Croat admitted the Euro hangover lingers but Dorrans said: “I’m looking forward to the start of the season. The result in Europe has been disappointing and everyone in there is hurting.
“So they’re eager for the season to start to show everyone what we’re capable of. Hopefully we can do that.
“I actually watched the first game in my house. I watched the first half of the second game on my iPad.
“Then I was on the flight to come over so I saw the result when I landed. I was in Ireland with Norwich.
“Everyone was obviously disappointed. I was disappointed just watching the game. I was as disappointed as everyone in there.
“But it’s behind us now. It’s gone. We have a few friendlies and then the first game of the season coming up fast.
“We have to get it out of our system, push on and be ready for that first game. We need to get over it and be ready for the first game in the league.
“They’re all going to be tough games. We are under no illusions. We know that every game we need to go and win.
“But I can see from training that we have quality players and a quality squad capable of doing that.
“It’s not going to be easy. We’ll take every game as it comes but I’m confident we can push on.”
The friendly against Marseille conjured up memories from the classic past meeting when the Scots side battled out an epic 2-2 Champions League draw almost 25 years ago.
But by full-time it offered some hope for the future after a miserable summer which has given fans little confidence ahead of the new campaign.
Dorrans, his midfield pairing with Ryan Jack and fellow debutant Bruno Alves along with the display of Daniel Candeias and Kranjcar’s goal were the real positives.
Dorrans was a bit too keen to impress against Marseille and picked up a booking for an early challenge on Patrice Evra, with the former Manchester United man later limping off.
He then dragged a shot wide in a first half of few chances but looked the part along with Alves at the back – the veteran many fans are pinning their hopes on.
And Dorrans believes the experienced players have a huge role as they look to close a 39-point gap on Celtic from last season.
He said: “Bruno will definitely be vital for us. He is an unbelievable figure to come into the squad.
“He has only been in a couple of days so I’m sure he’s still getting used to it and getting to know everything.
“But I’m confident he will be a great asset. I’m sure he will be vocal but he is still getting his bearings and getting to know everyone.
“At most of the clubs I’ve played at there have been a lot of experienced boys there. I can see myself as one of the experienced ones coming here as well. Hopefully, I can help along with Bruno, Kenny and others to help the youngsters and push them on.
“Personally, it was good to be out there. I enjoyed it. It wasn’t my best performance but I thought we did really well as a group and a team.
“We were really solid, with and without the ball. We were comfortable for most of the game. It was a good, positive performance.
“Marseille were good but I felt we were comfortable in the game. We stayed in good shape, were solid and kept them in front of us. They didn’t cause us too many problems.
“I’m still a bit behind the boys in terms of fitness. They were back a lot earlier than me. “But I’m getting closer with every day in training and hopefully the sharpness will come back
as well.”
It’s behind us now. We have a few friendlies then the first game of the season coming up fast so we have to push on and be ready for that GRAHAM DORRANS