Ruthless Rangers are now winning game of patience
BEI NG sat in a different dressing room was far from the only change Kyle Hutton encountered on his return to Ibrox. The whole ambience f elt in contrast to the anxieties that gripped his final season as a Rangers player.
Hutton was one of 11 squad members released in the summer as part of a clear-out following the failure to win promotion to the Premiership.
Back at his former workplace, the midfielder helped Queen of the South take Rangers to the 90th minute before finally succumbing. Ten wins out of 10 is now the Championship record for the Ibrox side under Mark Warburton’s management.
Queens had actually become the first team to take the lead against Rangers in the league this term, maintaining t he advantage supplied by Derek Lyle’s goal until half-time.
Yet the anger and frustration that situation would likely have provoked in the recent past was absent f r om t he stands on Saturday.
For Hutton, it was a clear indication of just how much faith the Ibrox support have invested in Warburton’s front-foot philosophy.
‘I think they take a lot more chances than the team last year,’ said the 24-year-old. ‘They leave a lot of men up the park and stretch the game.
‘The atmosphere is a bit different as well — because they are taking those chances. Last year, I feel we were wary. We played it defensive, a wee bit.
‘Mark Warburton has come in and brought an attacking style and that’s what the fans want to see. They want to see boys left up the park, wingers taking their man on and creating chances. That’s what they are getting, so that’s why they’re happy.
‘I remember the times we’d go in at half-time 1-0 down and all hell would break loose.
‘Obviously, it wasn’t like that yesterday. And that is coming from the style of football the manager is trying to play.
‘People are buying into that. If they do go in at 1-0 down, they are not that bothered because they know they will come out and have a right go in the second half.
‘Overall, I think it’s the whole style of football he is trying to play that has the fans behind him.’
This was not Warburton’s side at their most fluent. Far from it. But the fact they hauled themselves to yet another victory — having seemingly let the chance slip in a frantic finale — was sufficient to maintain the general air of positivity.
Rangers levelled nine minutes into the second half through a delightfully worked goal. James Tavernier bisected the visiting defence with an intelligent through-ball, which Jason Holt finished from a narrow angle.
The expectation was that it would act as a bugle call for an onslaught but Queens — weakened by injuries — held firm until Chris Higgins toppled Andy Halliday to concede an 88th-minute penalty. Ibrox held its breath as Martyn Waghorn stepped up, only to exhale in exasperation as Robbie Thomson threw himself right to make a fine save.
That seemed to be that. But Rangers were not quite done yet. A primary issue over the afternoon had been a lack of accuracy on the f i nal ball. Too much of their pressure and possession came to nothing when it really mattered.
It was a problem solved by substitute Nathan Oduwa in the final minute. Positioned on the left flank, he swept a terrific cross into an enticing near-post area and Waghorn converted for instant redemption. It was the 50th goal of the season for Rangers and, more remarkably, the very first scored by a header under Warburton’s command.
‘It didn’t work out the way we wanted in the end. But, we will take confidence from how long we held out,’ said Queens star Hutton.
‘After the penalty save, you do think you’re going to get away with a point. But credit to Rangers, they kept going and got the goal right at the end — as they always seem to do. They poured men forward.
‘The full-backs stay so high. That can be both an advantage and disadvantage. It leaves space in the wide areas and if you can exploit that then you’ll get chances.’
Goal- scorer Holt feels keeping calm will be an essential attribute for Rangers if they are to keep extending their current sequence. The more the opposition sit deep against them, the more they may have to wait for the right opportunity.
‘Teams will come here and try to frustrate and it’s down to us to do the right things,’ said the ex-Hearts midfielder.
‘The most important thing is to be patient. They scored early and that just showed the patience we have got. We dug in and got the late winner. We can’t get frustrated — we just need to keep going to the final whistle.
‘At the moment, it’s exciting and the fans can sense that, too.’