The 25th minute at Hampden on Sunday would have been an awkward one for the Halliday family.
A family of diehard Rangers fans watched on as their son and brother Andy pounced to draw first blood for Motherwell in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final at Hampden.
Gers obviously went onto win the game and set up a final clash with Celtic, but it was all a bit nervy thanks to the former Ibrox midfielder.
Much has been made of Halliday’s refusal to score against his old club and the one he grew up supporting and the man himself has already had his say on that.
Halliday reveals Derek Ferguson text after Rangers goal
Unsurprisingly, Halliday would have had texts from friends and family after scoring against his boyhood club.
But hilariously there was also one from fellow Open Goal podcast contributor Derek Ferguson.
What makes it even better is the fact that Fergie sent the message at half past three, so just moments after the 32-year-old had scored the goal and when he would have still been running about the Hampden turf.
Speaking on the latest episode of Open Goal, Halliday chuckled: “Do you know who was the first person to text me? Derek Ferguson.
“At [expletive] half three — it must have been as soon it hit the back of the net. Wait there, I’ll get it for you. ‘Honest to [expletive], I could strangle you’. That’s what he said.
“And then he said, at 17.03 so he’s obviously calmed down a bit, ‘Fair play, great desire to get on the end of that. Thought you played really well’.”
Halliday explained Rangers non-celebration
Halliday has already explained his decision not to celebrate the goal, a practice carried out by players all round the world when facing former clubs.
And the Motherwell midfielder insisted he would do the exact same thing again, be it against Hearts or Rangers.
But there was one part of the whole thing he regretted.
“Nothing should surprise me in the in the west of Scotland especially when it’s something that happens across world football.
“But it just so seems that it does surprise me at the weekend again as the last thing I was I was certainly trying to do was disrespect Motherwell that’s for sure.
“I’ve heard that comment being branded about over the last couple of days which to me is embarrassing. “I’ll bite my tongue before I start digging individuals out.
“Maybe [regret] the little hands up – because that kind of gestures being apologetic but I certainly wasn’t apologising first for scoring a goal.
“But I will say if we played Rangers or Hearts next week and I scored I still wouldn’t celebrate.
“I’ll never do something to appease other people that’s for sure. So I don’t regret that.
“When Louis Moult scored against Motherwell – his old club – for Dundee United, he didn’t celebrate.”
