Birthday boy almost puts Giovanni in a party mood
It is a curious match that strengthens the hand of both winning and losing manager, yet that was exactly what happened at Ibrox yesterday.
Thanks to a double from Antonio Colak – who celebrated his first by putting his finger to his lips to “Shh!” the United fans who sang through the minute’s silence for the Queen – Giovanni van Bronckhorst got the victory he needed to stay in his post.
However, just the fact that the Tangerines got close to pulling off a dramatic draw should be enough to ensure Liam Fox loses the caretaker tag in front of his title.
“My situation will probably be resolved in the next couple of days – one way or the other,” said Fox.
“I will speak to Tony Ashgar and the board over the next couple of days and see where we are after that.”
Van Bronckhorst was in a happier place last night than he had been before this game started.
“It was three points,” he said. “The most important thing today was to get back to winning ways.
“Mentally, it is quite difficult when you have three defeats in a row. I think at moments in the game today it affected us.”
The Dutchman made a bold call with his team selection handing Charlie Mccann his first start for the club.
Any butterflies the Manchester United Academy graduate would have felt were settled by Rangers’ sensational start to the game.
They stormed into the lead in only the eighth minute.
Skipper James Tavernier robbed Ian Harkes, strangely hesitant out wide, and drove nearly three-quarters of the pitch before picking out Antonio Colak as he arrived in support.
From a tight angle, the Croatian took a touch and smashed the ball home past United goalkeeper Carl Eriksson and into the corner of the net.
It was a real striker’s effort in that he appeared to have absolutely no doubt of his intent from the second Tavernier’s pass reached him.
Given yesterday was his 29th birthday, it was a fine way to mark the occasion. But that almost certainly was not the reason Van Bronckhorst celebrated the score so enthusiastically on the sideline.
After three successive defeats, each without a goal in response, he knew that without a good start the pressure would mount and mount on his team.
To be fair, even by then they had gone close. Scott Arfield having shot over from close range when arriving late on to Ryan Kent’s cross.
Not that things were what you would call comfortable for the hosts after that.
Full back Aziz Behich warmed up keeper Allan Mcgregor with a shot to save at his right hand post before Glenn Middleton really tested him with a driven effort at the other side a few minutes later.
For a split second it looked to be beating the former Scotland keeper but he stuck out his right foot to make a dramatic block.
Rangers dominated the ball, but much of their play was from side to side in the middle of the pitch with United successful in disrupting any of their forays into the box.
For as long it stayed 1-0, there was always the chance of an equaliser and when Tony Watt tumbled at the feet of Barisic in the opening seconds of the second half, the Tangerines howled for a penalty.
Referee Kevin Clancy was not having any of it, merely waving Watt up off the ground.
As in the first half, though, Rangers struck with an early goal.
Again it was from the boot of Colak, flicking Barsic’s cross in at the near post.
This time, though, the Tangerines succeeded in biting back.
Liam Fox sent on Sadat Anaku and the substitute made an instant impact with his first run at the Light Blues defence bringing a goal.
He opened up the space and when Jamie Mcgrath moved the ball wide to Liam Smith, the full back drilled a low shot home.
It was nervy for the hosts after that, but they held on for a vital win.