My goals shut up United fans

Bronckhorst ’s side a much-needed win after three heavy defeats on the spin.

And after netting the opener at Ibrox, he held his fingers to his lips in front of the travelling United support who jeered a minute’s silence before kick-off.

The Terrors gave Gers a scare with Liam Smith’s second- hal f strike but Colak’s goals sealed a vital win.

And afterwards, the front-man had a pop at the Arabs’ lack of respect for Queen Elizabeth who died last week.

Colak said: “We were silent at the start of the game and we know why.

“It’s all about respect. After I scored, it was just my emotions.

“The whole crowd, 50,000 inside the stadium, had this respect but some didn’t.

“It was just a moment, people have to understand that. Everyone has to show respect.”

Dundee United last night acknowledged that a section of their support at Ibrox didn’t observe the minute’s silence despite being asked to by the club.

The away fans booed and sang: ‘ Lizzie’s in a box’ during the preplanned tribute.

A statement on the club’s website said: “Dundee United are aware of the actions of a small section of the crowd who chose not to respect the minute’s silence before the match at Ibrox.

“As a club, ahead of the game we reached out to advise our supporters of the pr e - ma t ch arrangements with the expectation that the minute’s silence would be observed.”

Colak, who celebrated his 29th bir thday yesterday, was given the nod ahead of fit- again Alfredo Morelos against United and repaid his manager’s faith in him.

He said: “I feel like I am repeating myself when I talk about how happy I am at Rangers.

“Today, the most important thing is that we won. I tried to give everything to f ind situations to score because that is my job.

“This is why I came here and I just want to

MIND GAMES

GVB continue like that. I want to work hard, stay hungry and just score goals. That is the best feeling for me. Today was a really nice day for me.

“It doesn’t matter whether I play from the start or I’m on the bench.

“The coach knows what is best for the team. I have a lot of trust in him and that’s why I am always prepared.”

Meanwhi le, van Bronckhorst says his side struggled with the mental side of the game against United who pushed them all the way.

He said: “Mentally it is quite difficult when you have three defeats in a row against Celtic, Ajax and Napoli.

“At moments in the game today it affected us. In moments of stress, it is dif f icult to keep focusing on your task and on your play.

“The game should have been decided early and that is one thing we have to do better compared to last season.

“It is more about your mental ability to keep calm and decide what to do in key moments.

“That is the most important tool you have as a football player. It all starts in the head.

“Johan Cruyff always said: ‘Football starts in the head and then your feet will follow’.

“He was right many times - you play with your brains.”

The victory closed the gap on Celtic temporarily to two points ahead of the Hoops clash with St Mirren today.

Gers toiled to get past United but van Bronckhorst is still convinced they can challenge for the Premiership title.

He said: “It’s early, it’s only six or seven games we have played now.

“There are still more than 30 games to go. It’s a long season and anything can happen.”