David so happy after Dons delight
DAVID BATES was delighted he could mark his return to the Rangers starting line-up with victory over Aberdeen on Sunday.
The defender made his first league start of the campaign at Pittodrie as Graeme Murty’s side earned a deserved 2-1 win.
Bates hadn’t pulled on a Light Blues jersey since the Europa League defeat to Progres Niederkorn back in July as he spent 10 weeks out of action through injury.
But he played a key role against the Dons as goals from Danny Wilson and Josh Windass, either side of Ryan Jack’s red card, clinched three crucial Premiership points.
“Yes, it’s obviously been tough,” Bates said.
“I was out right at the start of the season for about 10 weeks and getting back to fitness and sharpness and to come straight back into a big game like this and win three points at Aberdeen to go above them is great.
“The display that the boys put in is great, especially when we go down to 10 men is immense. You can see the togetherness and the way that everyone digs in together is great.
“You can see guys like Kenny [Miller] and Josh holding the ball up and winning headers which they shouldn’t be winning, so it’s brilliant to get the win.
“When we went down to ten men Aberdeen were throwing everything forward and even the goalkeeper was forward at one point as well.
“Everyone dug in really well and guys like James Tavernier and Declan John were in there winning headers against guys who are much bigger than them like Adam Rooney.
“When you heard that final whistle you could see from the pitch the way that the fans were reacting and erupting.”
The win at Pittodrie could prove to be Murty’s final match in charge as the Light Blues board look to conclude their search for Pedro Caixinha’s successor.
And Bates admits the U20s boss has been a welcome voice in the Ibrox dressing room as he has steadied the ship this term.
“As soon as he came up to the first team he gave us a real lift and the boys are playing for him every week,” he said.