Pulverised Par pours cold water on theory

Ross Graham believes Rangers are a stronger team with fans in the stadium.

There’s a theory that Steven Gerrard’s men feel the pressure now that fans are back but Graham, currently on loan at Dunfermline from Dundee United, didn’t find it any easier when the Pars were thumped 5-0 on Friday night.

The 20-year-old, who was on the receiving end of a 4-0 defeat when he went to Ibrox with Cove Rangers last season, said: “There were no fans back then, and this time it was quite full. The experience was totally different.

“Unfortunately, it was the same outcome.

“Fans make such a difference. You feel under more pressure and don’t get as much time on the ball, with fans are roaring them on to close you down.

“Do I not want to be back at Ibrox any time soon? Not at all. These are the places you want to play your football.

“Coming up against Rangers is something I want to do more regularly throughout my career.

“When you go to Ibrox, you have to get through the first 10 or 15 minutes. So it was a nightmare start for us to lose a goal so early.

“They were into their rhythm, and you know there is 88 minutes to go and you are up against it straight away.

“The fans were loving it, and the pressure was off them. They got another two quite quickly after that, and the ball just kept coming back at us.

“As a defender, you love to defend – but not as much as that!”