WAGHORN: I’m happy at Rangers
MARTYN Waghorn fired Rangers to victory in their first competitive outing since the Scottish Cup Final and then insisted he was committed to the club.
Like his friend and former Wigan teammate James Tavernier, who also netted yesterday, the striker is tied to the Light Blues until 2018.
Both men have, however, rejected Rangers’ advances to sign contract extensions amid reports they are displeased with the gap in wages between themselves and new arrivals Joey Barton and Niko Kranjcar.
While manager Mark Warburton insists he is unconcerned, the fact that two players who between them hit 43 goals last season have been reluctant to commit their long-term futures to the club has been a talking point among supporters.
“A lot of stuff has gone on and that’s up to my agent to deal with,” said the Englishman. “I’m really happy here. “I had a very good season last year and I’ve got two years left on my deal.
“So I’m just concentrating on my football but my family are settled here and I just want to kick on this season.
“As a striker, you just want a goal to set you on your way – especially the way we play – so I am pleased.
“There is a lot of competition for places and now of course there’s talk of Joe Dodoo, who I know well from when I was at Leicester, coming in.
“He’ll be a real asset to the squad and complement what we’ve already got because he is a good young player, quick, with an eye for goal and a real athlete.”
Yesterday, though, it was all about familiar faces with Mark Warburton opting to play it safe.
There was just one change from the side which started the Scottish Cup Final against Hibs at Hampden two months previously.
Even that was enforced, with Gedion Zelalem having gone back to parent club Arsenal on the completion of his loan.
In his place was Harry Forrester, who had missed the showpiece due to injury.
It was a smart move because it meant there was continuity about their play.
With none of the new faces introduced there was no one to be eased into the action in what, after all, was a competitive match.
Which was just as well because the Steelmen were very lively in the early stages.
Only a few seconds were on the clock when Andy Halliday found himself having to come to his goalkeeper Wes Foderingham’s rescue, clearing Lionel Ainsworth’s shot off the line.
Marvyn Johnson likewise went close, forcing Foderingham into a diving, one-handed save.
Little by little, though, Rangers started to muscle their way into the game.
First to catch the eye wasWaghorn who had a fierce effort tipped over the crossbar by Samson, before putting a great shot on the turn just beyond the junction of post and crossbar after being teed up by a misdirected header from Motherwell captain Stephen McManus.
It was Tavernier, another who seemingly believes he is due a hike in his wages, who made the difference though.
A full- back by trade, the former Wigan man nonetheless delivered a staggering return of 15 goals and 23 assists last season.
And he showed he had lost none of his attacking threat when running on to a ball from Waghorn and guiding a right-foot shot into the top corner of the net.
With the job at least partially done Warburton’s men visibly relaxed.
Their moves became more expansive and the manager took the opportunity to introduce Kranjcar and Josh Windass into the action, along with Michael O’Halloran.
Mo th e r w e l l ma n a g e r Ma r k McGhee also made full use of his bench and it was one of his subs, Louis Moult, who came closest to grabbing an equaliser when heading Marvyn Johnson’s cross just wide.
Instead it was Waghorn who rounded the day off for the visitors with a cracker of a curling shot on the angle for 2-0.
With games against Stranraer, Annan and East Stirling to come, the Steelmen will be confident of progressing further in the competition.