Edmundson: Long way to go yet
For the first time since early December, Rangers can see their name up in lights at the summit of the Scottish game. While that is a rather outlandish turn of events just weeks after Celtic crossed the city to win the first Old Firm match of the season, credit to Steven Gerrard’s side for getting the job down while the Parkhead side have faltered earlier in the day against first Hibs and now Livingston.
It is early days still and this was a forgettable Accies display but Rangers go into the international break two points clear of the pack and right in the hunt as they chase their first top-flight title in nine seasons.
Set to face Hearts away upon their return, Craig Levein was an interested observer here yesterday.
Win at Tynecastle in the early game and it would heap further pressure on their Glasgow rivals.
Steven Gerrard opted to freshen up his defensive ranks again, with no sign yesterday of Filip Helander. That meant a first league start for George Edmunson, picked up for around £600,000 in the summer from Oldham Athletic.
While you could hardly claim that he was overly tested by a Hamilton Accies side who rarely ventured over the halfway line, the Englishman may have given his manager even more of a headache when it comes to working out who his best pairing is.
He showed pace and strength to deal with George Oakley on one occasion, generally made good decisions and looked decent in possession. GEORGE EDMUNDSON didn’t know Rangers had the chance to move top of the league at Ibrox. Now, though, he is determined to help Steven Gerrard’s side stay there.
The home side were given a pre-match boost ahead of their game with Hamilton as Celtic slipped up for the second consecutive weekend and were beaten by Livingston.
It was a defeat Gerrard’s side certainly made the most of and a
5-0 victory over Accies has them in pole position in the title race for the first time since last December.
For Edmundson, the focus will be on taking each game and challenge as it comes as Rangers look to maintain top spot following the international break.
He said: “To be honest, I didn’t know Celtic had dropped points until after our game.
“I just focus on Rangers, I’m not too fussed about what other teams are doing. It feels good to be top but there is a long, long way to go and we are just taking it all game by game and taking it as it comes.” The two men on the receiving end of most stick during the unfortunate midweek defeat to Young Boys in Switzerland were captain James Tavernier and defensive mainstay Connor Goldson. They found the perfect way to answer their critics on social media with the second goal here.
Taking matters into his own hands as Accies defended in depth in front of them, Goldson broke forward, funnelled the ball wide and made a bee-line for the penalty area. Tavernier’s cross was a thing of beauty and so too was the way the central defender guidedhisheaderintothebottomcorner.
It wasn’t too long ago that Borna Barisic was on the receiving end, too, but the Croat is becoming a real threat in this Rangers team and his free-kick which flew into the top corner from 25 yards showed the magic he has in that left foot.