The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Gers teenager Barjonas thanks Caixinha for handing him debut
Jamie Barjonas thanked Rangers boss Pedro Caixinha for giving him his Ibrox debut in the 2-1 Ladbrokes Premiership win over Hearts on Saturday.
The 18-year-old midfielder made his first appearance for the Light Blues as a substitute in last week’s 2-1 victory over Partick Thistle at Firhill.
He replaced Jason Holt in the 67th minute with Rangers leading through goals from Joe Garner and Barrie McKay, one either side of Esmael Goncalves’ leveller, and he helped the home side see out the game and clinch third place.
Barjonas told Rangers TV: “It was very nerve-wracking when I was coming on but when I got on I just tried to play my game, do what I was good at, keep it simple.
“I thought it was amazing, honestly, it is a dream come true.”
Don Cowie is confident Hearts will “come back a stronger team” under head coach Ian Cathro next season.
Saturday’s defeat proved yet another frustrating one for the 30-year-old Gorgie boss who began his tenure with a 2-0 defeat at the same venue in December.
Garner headed the Gers into the lead in the seventh minute before Jambos defender Prince Buaben was given a straight red card by referee Bobby Madden in the 26th minute for preventing Josh Windass going clear through on goal.
The visitors responded positively and Goncalves equalised in a swift break in the 51st minute but McKay restored the home side’s lead two minutes later following a mistake by Hearts debutant keeper Viktor Noring.
The fifth-placed Tynecastle club have registered just six wins in 24 games under Cathro and missed out to St Johnstone on a European place.
But Cowie, who was “really proud’ of the side he captained, believes it will come right after the summer.
He said: “There has been a lot of doom and gloom about the club but you saw a performance from boys that were putting their body on the line and showing what it means to play for this club.
“I firmly believe we have a tremendous manager at this club and we need to stick by him and get through this tough period.”
The Premiership’s bottom two sides both lost on Saturday, with a Louis Moult second-half goal enough to see Motherwell edge a tense Lanarkshire derby away at Hamilton.
The Fir Park side are now threepoints ahead of second-bottom Accies with two games to play and four ahead of Inverness CT, who lost 2-1 at Kilmarnock.