Hill reckons Gers will bring back a

GAVIN BERRY

HE was more than 3000 miles away playing for Gabala but Andy Halliday’s heart will always be in Govan.

And Clint Hill knows just how much being sent to Azerbaijan would have hurt the Rangers midfielder.

Hill himself admitted to being hit hard at being told he could leave – and he had only been at Ibrox for 11 months while having no previous ties to the club.

Halliday on the other hand was a boyhood blue, raised a lengthy Wes Foderingham punt from the stadium itself.

That is why Hill knows Graeme Murty will be getting a player with a point to prove after Light Blues chiefs thrashed out a deal to cut short his season-long loan.

Veteran defender Hill, now at Carlisle, credits Halliday as one of the men who taught him what Rangers are all about.

But more than that, he reckons the 26-year-old former Bradford City man has plenty to offer on the pitch.

Sadly for Halliday that wasn’t enough for Pedro Caixinha with the Portuguese flop boss telling him he didn’t have a part to play under him.

With Caixinha now gone, Murty clearly has other ideas and the returning Ranger will be part of the squad that heads to America to take part in the Florida Cup during the winter break.

Halliday’s last appearance in light blue came as a substitute in the final minute of the 2-1 win over St Johnstone in the final game of last season.

He was hopeful that wouldn’t be the end for him and now he has been handed a second chance at his boyhood heroes.

Hill, 39, said: “It would have hurt Andy being told he was surplus to requirements. Listen, it hurt me and a few players so imagine how he felt given his affection for the club.

“To see him go out to Azerbaijan as well was a bit different. I thought he would have gone to England.

“It must have been some experience for him and I’m sure he’d have learned from his short time there but he’ll be absolutely buzzing to get back.

“He would have experienced a different type of football and culture which is no bad thing but he’s coming back to a club he loves and will be hitting the ground running.

“I only knew Andy for a short

Andy always gave everything he had on the pitch