HANGING TOUGH
Gio’s delight as Rangers battle to stay in title hunt
GIOVANNI VAN BRONCKHORST hailed the character of his Rangers players after they kept their Premiership title hopes alive with a 3-1 victory against Motherwell.
Having taken the lead at Fir Park, the Ibrox side’s day — and league challenge — threatened to fall apart when defender Leon Balogun was sent off for a tackle on Fir Park midfielder Dean Cornelius. Graham Alexander’s team momentarily capitalised on their man advantage when Ross Tierney headed them level before half-time. But the ten men rallied in the second half and looked the stronger side, with Scott Wright’s
effort and James Tavernier’s penalty sealing the win in Lanarkshire.
‘We had to adjust the game plan, of course,’ said the Dutchman, whose side travel to face RB Leipzig in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final on Thursday.
‘We started off really well, were 1-0 up and in control of the game. Of course, with the red card we have to switch to a different way of playing. I think we did it really well, especially the second half.
‘We had half-time to change things a little bit when we had the ball but also defensively. I think it worked out well and then you just have to make sure you create the chances.
‘Although we are one man less, the players did what we wanted and also with ten men we had chances to score.’
Van Bronckhorst’s side trail Celtic by three points but the Premiership leaders can extend their advantage to six if they win at Ross County this afternoon.
Balogun will now miss the Old Firm clash at Parkhead on May 1 — unless Rangers decide to appeal his dismissal.
With Kemar Roofe absent with a knee injury and out for at least the next two games — against Leipzig and the clash with Celtic — Van Bronckhorst fielded a front three of Fashion Sakala, Scott Wright and Amad Diallo.
The on-loan Manchester United attacker was sacrificed for Calvin Bassey immediately after Balogun’s dismissal as Rangers reshuffled.
But the manager was pleased by the impact of the latter pair, as well as captain Tavernier’s performance.
‘They were very useful, both have qualities, are quick and fast with the ball and their movement off the ball is good,’ continued
Van Bronckhorst.
‘They had a slightly different role when we went down to ten men, they caused a lot of danger. I’m happy for Scotty to score and, obviously, the captain almost never fails from the spot.’
Rangers fumed after Balogun’s red card when Motherwell defender Juhani Ojala slid in on Wright minutes later.
But Van Bronckhorst would not be drawn on whether the Finn should have also been sent off. ‘Obviously they are two tackles both with the intention to win the ball,’ he added.
‘The margins are really close in those tackles. We just have to accept the red card we had.’
Wright was delighted to make his mark as he forced Motherwell goalkeeper Liam Kelly into conceding an own goal for the opener and made it 2-1 with his first strike since Boxing Day.
‘Obviously I will need to claim the first one as well!’ said the 24-year-old. ‘It was a bit of a rammy in the box.
‘But I am delighted with the second one, it is what I work hard for Monday to Friday, to try and get opportunities like this. I need to make sure I take them when I get them.’