Dorrans out for THREE months
Holt insists ends justify the means in battle to establish Rangers as credible second force
RANGERS were dealt a hammer blow after it emerged Graham Dorrans faces another three months on the sidelines following ankle surgery. The summer signing from Norwich City hobbled off during what proved to be Pedro Caixinha’s final match in charge against Kilmarnock in October. It was initially thought the injury would heal through time but, concerned at the lack of progress, the 30-year-old midfielder saw a specialist in London on Wednesday and immediately went under the knife. The revised timescale for his return to the team is now the end of March, with the game against Celtic in the middle of that month looking highly unlikely. Interim boss Graeme Murty has been unable to call on the ex-Scotland star during his seven matches at the helm.
RANGERS have been here before. Approaching Christmas harbouring cautious optimism that, this time, the battle for second place might swing decisively their way.
Twelve months ago, a double from Martyn Waghorn secured a 2-1 win away to Hamilton.
Mark Warburton was the boss as the Ibrox side tip-toed their way through December undefeated until a New Year home loss to Celtic. Blowing a seven-point lead over Aberdeen, matters quickly unravelled after a 4-1 defeat to Ian Cathro’s Hearts at Tynecastle.
Fast forward 12 months and Warburton is a distant memory. Ditto Pedro Caixinha.
Graeme Murty has now taken control of Rangers for more firstteam games in 2017 than the two permanent managers and, after four wins on the bounce, the signs are he’s making a decent fist of it.
Back-to-back wins over Aberdeen were followed by a laboured victory over Ross County and a grim exercise in survival at Easter Road on Wednesday night.
In the race to make Rangers a decisive second it matters little
they win. Only that they do. ‘Hibs wasn’t pretty at times but we came away with the three points and that is the main thing,’ admitted midfielder Jason Holt.
‘I would have preferred it if we had got the ball down and passed it a bit more but sometimes you need to do that side of the game.
‘That was the case, especially in the second half when we had to show real determination.
‘We probably had a wee bit of luck on our side. In the second half, we were under a bit of pressure and sometimes you need luck in this game. Previously in the season we haven’t had it but tonight we got it.’
With Derek McInnes back winning games at Aberdeen after a prolonged dalliance with the Ibrox manager’s job, the teams are now neck and neck on 36 points. Holt expects a nip-andtuck tussle between now and the end of the season, Rangers buoyed by a mental strength many didn’t believe they had in their locker.
‘There are a lot of good teams in this league and every game is tough,’ added Holt. ‘We just need to keep showing the fighting qualities that we have been showing.
‘It has been really evident in the last two or three weeks. Especially in the second half, we had to dig in massively and show real determination and I think the spirit saw us through.’
Placed in interim charge until the end of the year, Murty is now building a compelling case for an extended spell at the helm. Games against St Johnstone, Kilmarnock and Motherwell precede a trip to Parkhead. Travel across Glasgow unbeaten in the month of December and his claim will become hard to resist.
‘I have said before that since Murts has come in all the boys have thoroughly enjoyed working under him,’ added Holt. ‘He always gives 100 per cent and that is all you can ask. He has done really well.’
Tactically adaptable, Murty has not only coped with injuries and misfortune. He has also transformed the form of Josh Windass, the Englishman’s five goals in eight games a key factor in the Rangers revival.
‘Josh has been doing great,’ said Holt. ‘Previously he was doing well but now he is adding goals to his game and it makes a real difference. Most of the boys have got a really good understanding with him. We work on the training pitch every day and know what his qualities are. ‘He has shown this season the qualities he has got and the character he has got. When things aren’t going well, he is always available on the pitch. If we can keep seeing him progress we will all be delighted.’ But for costly defeats to Hamilton and Dundee, Rangers would already be in a title challenge, picking at Celtic’s uncharacteristic vulnerability.
Those defeats owed much to a confidence crisis for striker Alfredo Morelos and two goals in two games for the Colombian add to the feeling things are looking up.
‘I am delighted for Alfredo,’ added Holt. ‘We know what he can bring to the team. It helps massively if you have got a player that is scoring regularly throughout the season. You will find yourself winning more games than you lose. We know his qualities and I think his confidence and belief are growing as well.’
The same might be said for Rangers as a team. Murty has succeeded in getting more from the players. They have remembered how to win again.
‘I think it is probably a bit of belief and confidence, to be honest,’ said Holt.
‘I think previously in the season we lost a few games and it maybe takes effect. But the confidence is growing throughout the team now and I think we have shown a different side to the team.
‘We will keep trying to show that on the pitch.’