MAGIC SPELL
Graham’s deadly double does the trick for Gers at Fir Park after strip gaffe
GRAHAM DORRANS admitted his two-goal debut was a dream come true as Rangers fans sang his name – after the kit man misspelt it. The midfielder got the Ibrox side off to a winning Premiership start with a double in the 2-1 win at Motherwell yesterday. But only after his shirt had to be changed when it emerged “Doorans” had been printed on the back of his No.10 jersey by kit man Jimmy Bell.
Boyhood blue Dorrans took just three minutes to get off the mark for his new club and netted the decisive second from the penalty spot after Ben Heneghan had levelled for the Steelmen.
The Light Blue legions
chanted “he’s one of our own” and Dorrans joked that it was all down to his lucky shirt.
Asked if he noticed the mistake, the midfielder smiled and said: “No, Jimmy told me. It was fine in the end, the shirt I had on was lucky for me.
“I was excited before the game. It was something I have dreamed of since I was a kid.
“But I’ve been playing professional football for a long time and I know what you need to do and what it takes to go out there.
“So I was focused and I felt fine. It was a great win for us as well and great personally to get a couple of goals.
“But more importantly it was terrific to get off to a good start.
“We spoke before the game and knew just how important it was, even this early, if we dropped points. So it was vital we got off to a start like we did.
“The manager said during the week we need to take every game as it comes and that’s jusy what we’ve been doing.
“It was a tough match but we will move on now. It was a good win and a positive one but we’ve got another game against Dunfermline now that we’ll move on to.
“The fans appreciate it when we’re winning and doing well. They’re in loud voice when we’re on top in games so hopefully we can continue to do that.
“This was our first competitive game together and we’ve got some new players. We were under the cosh a little bit towards the end but saw it out well.
“That’s something we will work on as we gel as a team and get more games and sessions together. I’m sure it will come good.”
Scotland international Dorrans, a summer signing from Norwich City, wants to chip in with goals from the middle of the park and reckons Ryan Jack’s presence will allow him to get forward.
He has been appointed penalty taker – despite Josh Windass trying to steal the spot kick for his winner just before the hour.
Dorrans said: “I hope to score more goals. We’ve got Jacko in there too which gives me a bit of licence to get forward. I’ll be delighted if I can add some goals.
“I spoke to (Gers No.2) Helder Baptista last week and he told me before the Watford game I would be taking penalties.
“We’ve not had one since but he told me to take them. Josh came up saying he wanted to take it but I was confident I would score so I just took it.”