As Ross County downed Celtic 2-0 at Celtic Park and sparked a riot outside our rival’s stadium, there was an understated Rangers influence on the pitch.
Ibrox Academy youngster Stephen Kelly played a big role in the Staggies’ impressive win at Celtic where his calm and poise on the ball was that of someone many years his senior.
For Rangers fans watching it was a great glimpse of what’s to come from the 20-year-old midfield who had drive, control and energy throughout the match.
But for Rangers as a club, it’s the latest of example of a transfer strategy from the summer which is fast turning out to be masterstroke this season.
Just as Stephen Kelly left it all on the pitch to finally break Celtic’s run of 35 cup match wins on the bounce and give Rangers a clearer run at the cup, two other Rangers players have directly impacted results against our rivals in the Scottish Premiership.
Rangers defender-turned-midfielder Ross McCrorie is currently on loan at Aberdeen – whom he will join permanently at the end of the season – and played a lead role in taking two points off Celtic earlier in the season.
McCrorie’s Aberdeen side earned a 3-3 draw against Celtic at Pittodrie to help Rangers in their title charge and it could be a vital result in a tight title race.
Similarly, Rangers winger Jamie Murphy scored one and set up another as Hibs held Celtic to a 2-2 draw at Easter Road earlier in the month.
This is three players who are becoming important parts of their respective teams and who have an added incentive against Celtic in both the leagues and cups.
By the same token, none of these players can play against Rangers, in turn, weakening Ross County, Aberdeen and Hibs when we play them.
In a season of fine margins and with so much on the line, those in the background at Ibrox deserve credit for this transfer strategy which is already bearing fruit this season.
