Andy Halliday’s display against Celtic capped off what’s been one of the greatest comeback stories you’re likely to remember.
Does that sound over the top? Perhaps it does at face value, but just look at his situation now compared to the start of the season.
The Rangers star was a target of jokes from the Celtic support last term. It can’t have been easy for him, however, as he was consistently laughed at by Brendan Rodgers’ supporters. Everyone will subsequently remember supporters at Parkhead chanting his name in unison. The only problem was it was the Celtic fans that were chanting it.
That followed the infamous subtitution at Hampden. You’ll remember a seething Halliday shouting in the manager’s direction after being hooked against Celtic in the Scottish Cup semi-final.
Yes, to put it blunty, he was the target of ridicule. A season that ended without him receiving even one iota of praise throughout it.
In arrived Steven Gerrard, and many thought he was going to raise an eyebrow in Halliday’s direction and point towards the door. His time was up, and everyone knew it,
Except for the fact that Gerrard did indeed see something in him. The man who had gradually become a joke-figure after a great first season under Mark Waburton, had looked like being dumped.
Yet Gerrard was happy to give him some surprise appearances. Matches against Shkupi, Osijek, and Maribor saw him put in some reliable performances in Europe.
Halliday gave Gerrard something to think about
It gave the Rangers manager something to think about. Maybe he could rely on the limited Halliday right enough.
He proved to be a reliable figure regardless of where he was on the park. Left-back or in the holding role just in front of the defence – he was a jack of all trades.
It soon became clear that the former Bradford City star had some confidence back. Gerrard consistently sang his praises, and his place at the club was safe.
Yet still he remained a target of ridicule for the Celtic supporters. Even pre-match at Ibrox, they were cheering gleefully when his name was read out on the team-sheet.
What they and probably many didn’t expect, however, was just how efficient and dogged he proved to be last weekend. He won just about every ball that came his way, and was playing to the best of his ability.
He was constantly tight to anything in green. A player who was clearly determined to get the Celtic fans out of his mind. It would be the final part of his journey from a joker to Rangers’ ace in the deck.
And boy did he do it. The tears at full-time showed a player who’s been on a hard journey on a personal level. A Rangers supporter who’s been to hell and back since signing for the club in 2015.
Will he therefore ever truly get the credit he deserves for such a remarkable comeback? Highly unlikely.
