Russell full of sympathy for Celts
JOHNNY Russell admits he’ll never give up hope of signing for his boyhood heroes Celtic after missing out on a dream move in 2013.
The Parkhead side had lodged several bids to try and entice Dundee United into allowing him to leave the club for Glasgow. Eventually it would be Derby County who swooped with a more substantial offer as Russell spent five years at Pride Park – thoroughly enjoying his stay where he notched 34 goals in 203 appearances. But he will always regret the missed opportunity to play for the team he has always supported.
“I always said the dream was to play for Celtic but it’s never happened,” he said. “That’s football. The season I went to Derby was there were a few bids made but Derby offered more and Celtic’s bids were never accepted. If they had been matched I would’ve gone to Celtic, I don’t think there’s any doubt about that.
“Of course [it remains on the bucket-list], nobody is going to turn down the opportunity to play for their heroes. It was always something I’d never give up hope on. You never know.”
Russell, 30, is preparing for the new MLS season to kick-off in April with Sporting Kansas City. The striker – who is out of contract when the campaign comes to an end – admits he’d happily sign a new deal to keep him in the US.
Though he would also have to give some serious thought to a switch back to Scottish football if the right opportunity presented itself. “You never know,” he added. “It’s not something I would ever turn my nose up at. I started in Scotland that’s where I got my chance and it’s where I’m from, so I’d never say no to it.”
ALLAN MCGREGOR 7 Could do nothing about the goals. Couple of big saves towards the end.
JAMES TAVERNIER 4
Started well before pulling up with an injury. Was a big loss for the team.
CONNOR GOLDSON 7
Missed a couple of decent chances from attacking set-plays but solid at the back. Excellent pass to force Aribo’s goal.
FILIP HELANDER 6
Dominant in the air but lack of pace left him a little vulnerable on occasion.
BORNA BARISIC 7
Needlessly gave away the free-kick for Antwerp’s opener and lost his marker for the goal. Made up for it in the second half.
STEVEN DAVIS 6
Looked to have done very little wrong for the Antwerp penalty. Tidy on the ball as usual.
GLEN KAMARA 7
Had a few nice runs from deep and was efficient in possession. Unlucky not to bag an assist.
SCOTT ARFIELD 6
Plenty of industry from the midfielder who understandably looked a little rusty.
JOE ARIBO 7
Calm presence of mind to score the opener and made a nuisance of himself throughout.
KEMAR ROOFE 6
Good run helped to force the opening goal but was a bit sloppy on the ball. Looked a yard off the pace.
ALFREDO MORELOS 9
Striker (below) set up Aribo for the first goal, won the penalty for the second and teed up the third.
SUBSTITUTES
LEON BALOGUN (for Tavernier, 25’) 6 Slotted in as an auxiliary right-back but did well.
RYAN KENT (for Roofe, 45’)
7 Wonderful solo goal.
RYAN JACK (for Kamara, 74’)
5 Enthusiastic as ever.
IANIS HAGI (for Aribo, 74’) 3 Missed a sitter from close range.
STEVEN DAVIS said he was proud of his Rangers team-mates after they produced a thrilling comeback win over Royal Antwerp.
Joe Aribo gave Steven Gerrard’s side a first-half lead before two goals in quick succession left Rangers trailing at the break.
Borna Barisic scored twice from the penalty spot and Ryan Kent scored a wonderful solo goal as the Glasgow club sealed a memorable victory.
“It was a bit of a rollercoaster,” Davis said. “It’s difficult to sum up how I feel about the match.
“In the first half I felt that we weren’t quite at it but there were spaces there.
“In the second half we thought if we could exploit that a little bit better with our quality going forward that we would definitely get our chances and that proved to be the case.
“You work so hard to try and get yourself in front so to concede two goals in quick succession was really disappointing. Especially when one is a set-piece and then obviously the penalty.”
Davis added that he was impressed with the way Rangers reacted to falling behind at the end of the first half.
He said: “The most important thing was the reaction after that and we felt we were still well in the game. We felt we could go on and win it.
“Credit to the boys for their attitude and to the subs as well for making an impact.
“At the time I thought [the penalty] was a little bit soft. I think the lad was quite clever in terms of how he played for it and obviously with VAR, the referee has decided it’s a penalty.
“I was a bit disappointed but luckily we went on to create chances ourselves, got a couple of good opportunities and won the game in the end.”