Ibrox togetherness a recipe for our fine fare, says Kiernan
ASIDE from his pr i mary aim of a Championship medal, Rob Kiernan may well end up with another award come the end of the season.
The title of Ibrox Masterchef is surely destined for the centre-half’s possession. After all, his culinary skills are currently fuelling the efforts of two of his team-mates as Rangers strive to maintain their 100-per-cent league record.
Kiernan has shared a house with goalkeeper Wes Foderingham and free- scoring right- back James Tavernier since they all moved to Glasgow this summer. And it seems the kitchen of this abode has become the sole domain of the 24-year-old defender.
‘I’m the cook in the house, the head chef, because the other lads don’t have that in their locker,’ admitted Kiernan. ‘I try to look after them on the nutritional side of things. I can’t say I’ve got a speciality. I try to keep it healthy and maybe mix it up now and again.
‘I’d say I’m good at roast dinners. I’m decent at that on a Sunday.’
Kiernan sees more substantial benefits to the domestic arrangement than being able to deliver a perfect Yorkshire pudding, though.
While he knew Tavernier and striker Martyn Waghorn from their time together at Wigan, this has been a squad quickly pulled together by Mark Warburton following his arrival in June.
Eleven of the players who failed to gain promotion last season had already been discarded.
An influx of new talent then arrived to join those who had survived the cull.
The fact Kiernan is still with his team- mates after training is something he feels has helped accelerate the process of adapting to a new club and a new city.
‘If you look around the dressing room, most people will have left home at a young age,’ he said. ‘There won’t be many who are still with their first club.
‘Everyone has to leave at some point and we’re all in the same boat. It’s a new country for us and we’ve been made to feel very welcome.
‘We’re like a little family. I think that helps on the pitch. It’s definitely helped with the togetherness, because this is still quite a new team with people from different places. The quicker we can gel, the better.
‘Do I have to clean the house as well? We have a cleaner who comes in, so I haven’t had to pull on the rubber gloves.
‘It’s a good set-up because you don’t want to be in on your own.’
Kiernan, capped by the Republic of Ireland at Under- 21 l evel, was able t o use t he r ecent international break to reflect on life at Rangers.
On the field, Warburton’s side are going for 10 out of 10 in the Championship when they host Queen of the South this afternoon.
The only setback encountered so far has been their 3- 1 reverse against St Johnstone that ended any League Cup ambitions.
‘It was nice to be able to recharge and relax for a bit,’ he continued. ‘We have come back and trained well and we are ready to go again.
‘The expectation is different to what I have been used to at previous clubs, but it is something we all thrive on as well.
‘We want to make everyone proud and get this club back to where it was. There is added pressure but it is something we thrive on. Have there been any surprises?
‘Just that general response we’ve had, not just in football, but if we have been out in town or out and about.
‘You do get people with nice comments. They are so friendly here and they go the extra mile. It has been really welcoming, so I have not got a bad word to say about the place.’
While Warburton has also brought in Dominic Ball on loan from Tottenham, it has been Kiernan and Danny Wilson who have been the regular centre-back partnership for Rangers this term.
‘Dom is looking to play games as well,’ said Kiernan. ‘Whoever gets picked, we want to provide a platform for the rest of the team to go and do their magic and score goals. We are just trying to keep clean sheets.
‘Me and Danny haven’t been together very long, we are still getting to know each other.
‘It is going to take time for us, or whoever plays, to really get an understanding. It is a new team but, hopefully, we can keep building a good partnership and carry on.
‘I knew Danny from when he got his move to Liverpool and I have been impressed with him since I came through the door.
‘He is a quality player. Nothing has surprised me because I know how good he is.
‘We have four, five or six players who are maybe more vocal than the others. I don’t think anyone overpowers anyone else. Everyone has their say and everyone respects each other’s opinion. Danny is a leader type.’
Wilson was a Scotland international aged 18 and retains hope of returning to the national squad if Rangers gain promotion.
‘I think every player wants to play at the highest level they can,’ added Kiernan. ‘Danny has had a taste so I am sure he is hungry to play again for his country.
‘All he can do is play well week in, week out for Rangers and that will take care of itself.’