Following on from Jon Flanagan, it’s time to look at Andy Halliday.
The versatile operator has stuck by Rangers through thick and thin. Sent packing from the academy in 2006, he went away and worked until an opportunity presented itself to come back to the club he has supported since childhood.
Then, after all that, Pedro Caixinha looked ready to discard him in 2017, sending him off on loan to Qabala in Azerbaijan.
Yet, he bounced back once again and this season, proved his worth as a squad player under Gerrard.
He racked up 35 appearances for the Gers across 2018/19. Ahead of the season, few would have predicted such a considerable role, nor that most of those outings would come at left-back.
However, the £675k-rated [Transfermarkt] stalwart capitalised well on Borna Barisic’s injuries and Jon Flanagan’s initial poor form.
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His standout display of the season came in December’s landmark Old Firm win at Ibrox. He was on it from the first whistle, defended stoutly and was deservedly named Man of the Match. In his post-match interview, he described it as the best day of his life.
Halliday chipped in with the odd goal, too, notching one in each of the domestic competitions. The highlight was a rasping free-kick against Dundee in December.
However, his late dismissal at Parkhead in March ushered in a change to his circumstances. Jon Flanagan seized his second opportunity and Halliday now looks the third choice for the left-back slot.
He’s unlikely to get much of a go in midfield next season, either. Gerrard already has a plethora of options in the centre and with both Jordan Rossiter and Greg Docherty returning from loan stints, the competition is only going to increase.
While he possesses a good left foot, Halliday doesn’t quite have the same level of technical ability as other options.
The 27-year-old rarely let the side down when called upon this season. Yet, while he’s still a useful squad member, opportunities may prove considerably harder to come by in 2019/20.
