Ahead of Rangers’ return to action last night, there were high hopes for Joe Worrall.
He was immense in the Old Firm victory at the end of last month and had seemingly turned a corner.
This is a player who arrived at Ibrox with a big reputation.
In fact, according to Transfermarkt’s ratings, he is Rangers’ best player, and the fourth best in SPL.
Yet, it all went very wrong at Rugby Park.
While competent in the air, both he and McAuley looked ill at ease with the ball at their feet.
After 22 minutes, Rangers were in the ascendency and pushing on for a second goal which would have granted them total control of the fixture.
Then, came Worrall’s huge blunder.
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As Steven Gerrard noted after the match, it was a clear turning point.
Momentum switched instantly, and the players failed to wrest it back from the hosts.
From then on, the Forest loanee’s every touch was ironically cheered by the home crowd.
It was bad, but it almost became a lot worse, when he came within a whisker of a spectacular own goal.
On the stroke of half-time, he fired a panicked back pass towards Allan McGregor at head height, which the keeper had to scramble to stop.
Many Gers fans were incensed, calling for him to be dropped.
Worrall’s commanding display against Celtic now looks a distant memory.
His market valuation of £7.2 million and tag of Rangers’ best player, a touch laughable.
